Robertson Stephens Reiterates Strong Buy Rating on MRX.

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2000

Robertson Stephens Managing Director and Senior Emerging Pharmaceuticals Analyst Donald Ellis today reiterated his Strong Buy rating on Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE:MRX). Medicis is an emerging pharmaceutical company that markets a line of prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals in the dermatology market.

&uot;We are reiterating our Strong Buy rating and $57 price target on Medicis, after IMS reported January prescription numbers,&uot; said Ellis. &uot;Prescription growth in January was 24 percent, significantly ahead of our revenue growth projection of 8 percent for the March quarter. Dynacin (+58%), Triaz (+15%), Loprox (+33%), and Lustra (+43%) continue to drive organic growth. We believe Medicis continues to be one of the best values in the specialty pharma index.&uot;

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