EXHIBIT 10.1

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),  dated as of January 6, 2006,
by and between Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Par"
or "Employer"), and John MacPhee ("Executive").

                                  RECITALS:

          A.   WHEREAS,  Executive  is  presently  employed  in the  capacity of
Senior Vice President, Branded Sales and Marketing of Par; and

          B.   WHEREAS,  Employer  and  Executive  desire to cancel and  replace
Executive's  existing Employment  Agreement,  dated December 20, 2004, and enter
into this  Agreement in order for Executive to assume the position of President,
Branded  Products  Division  and to  perform  the  duties  associated  with this
position with Employer on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

          In consideration of the mutual promises herein contained,  the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

          1.   EMPLOYMENT.
               ----------

               1.1.  GENERAL.  Employer hereby employs Executive in the capacity
of President,  Branded Products  Division at the compensation  rate and benefits
set forth in Section 2 hereof for the Employment Term (as defined in Section 3.1
hereof).  Executive  hereby  accepts such  employment,  subject to the terms and
conditions herein contained.  In all such capacity,  Executive shall perform and
carry out such duties and  responsibilities  as may be assigned to him from time
to time by the  Board  and by the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of Par  reasonably
consistent with Executive's position and this Agreement, and shall report to the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer of Par.

               1.2.  TIME DEVOTED TO POSITION.  Executive, during the Employment
Term, shall devote  substantially all of his business time, attention and skills
to the business and affairs of Employer.

               1.3.  CERTIFICATIONS. Whenever the Chief Executive Officer of Par
is  required  by law,  rule  or  regulation  or  requested  by any  governmental
authority or by Par's auditors to provide  certifications  with respect to Par's
financial  statements or filings with the Securities and Exchange  Commission or
any other governmental  authority,  Executive shall sign such  certifications as
may be  reasonably  requested  by the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of Par  and/or
Employer,  with  such  exceptions  as  Executive  deems  necessary  to make such
certifications accurate and not misleading.



          2.   COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
               -------------------------

               2.1.  SALARY.  At all  times  Executive  is  employed  hereunder,
Employer  shall  pay  to  Executive,   and  Executive  shall  accept,   as  full
compensation for any and all services  rendered and to be rendered by him during
such period to Employer in all  capacities,  including,  but not limited to, all
services that may be rendered by him to any of Employer's existing subsidiaries,
entities and organizations hereafter formed,  organized or acquired by Employer,
directly  or  indirectly   (each,   a   "Subsidiary"   and   collectively,   the
"Subsidiaries"), the following: (i) a base salary at the annual rate of $325,000
(Three Hundred and Twenty-Five  Thousand Dollars),  or at such increased rate as
the Board (through its  Compensation and Equity Awards  Committee),  in its sole
discretion,  may  hereafter  from time to time  grant to  Executive,  subject to
adjustment  in  accordance  with Section 2.2 hereof (as so  adjusted,  the "Base
Salary");  and (ii) any additional  bonus and the benefits set forth in Sections
2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 hereof. The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the
regular payroll practices of Employer applicable to senior executives, less such
deductions as shall be required to be withheld by applicable law and regulations
or otherwise.

               2.2.  ADJUSTMENTS  IN BASE  SALARY.  On each October 1 during the
Employment Term, the Base Salary shall be increased by that percentage,  if any,
by which the Consumer Price Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers,  for
the New York City metropolitan  area,  published by the United States Government
as of the month of September of such year exceeds such Index for the immediately
preceding September.

               2.3.  BONUS.  Subject to Section 3.3 hereof,  Executive  shall be
entitled to an annual bonus during the  Employment  Term in such amount (if any)
as  determined  by the  Board  based on such  performance  criteria  as it deems
appropriate,   including,   without  limitation,   Executive's  performance  and
Employer's  earnings,   financial  condition,  rate  of  return  on  equity  and
compliance with regulatory requirements.  The target amount of Executive's Bonus
shall be equal to 50% of his Base Salary.

               2.4. EQUITY AWARDS. Executive shall be entitled to participate in
long-term incentive plans commensurate with his titles and positions, including,
without limitation,  stock option, restricted stock, and similar equity plans of
Employer as may be offered from time to time.

               2.5.    EXECUTIVE BENEFITS.
                       ------------------

                       2.5.1.   EXPENSES.   Employer  shall  promptly  reimburse
Executive for expenses he reasonably  incurs in connection  with the performance
of his duties (including business travel and entertainment  expenses) hereunder,
all in accordance  with  Employer's  policies with respect  thereto as in effect
from time to time.

                       2.5.2.  EMPLOYER  PLANS.  Executive  shall be entitled to
participate in such employee  benefit and welfare plans and programs as Employer
may from time to time  generally  offer or  provide  to  executive  officers  of


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Employer or its Subsidiaries,  including,  but not limited to,  participation in
life  insurance,  health and  accident,  medical  plans and  programs and profit
sharing and retirement plans.

                       2.5.3. VACATION.  Executive shall be entitled to four (4)
weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, prorated for any partial year.

                       2.5.4. AUTOMOBILE.  Employer shall provide Executive with
an automobile cash allowance commensurate with his titles and positions.

                       2.5.5.  LIFE INSURANCE.  Employer shall obtain (provided,
that Executives  qualifies on a non-rated  basis) a term life insurance  policy,
the premiums of which shall be borne by Employer and the death benefits of which
shall be payable to Executive's  estate, or as otherwise  directed by Executive,
in the amount of $1 million throughout the Employment Term.

          3.   EMPLOYMENT TERM; TERMINATION.
               ----------------------------

               3.1.  EMPLOYMENT  TERM.  Executive's  employment  hereunder shall
commence  on the date hereof and,  except as  otherwise  provided in Section 3.2
hereof,  shall  continue  until the fifth (5th)  anniversary of the date of this
Agreement (the "Initial Term").  Thereafter,  this Agreement shall automatically
be  renewed  for  successive  one-year  periods  commencing  on the fifth  (5th)
anniversary of the date of this  Agreement (the Initial Term,  together with any
such  subsequent  employment   period(s),   being  referred  to  herein  as  the
"Employment Term"), unless Executive or Employer shall have provided a Notice of
Termination  (as  defined  in  Section  3.4.2  hereof)  in respect of its or his
election  not to renew the  Employment  Term to the other party at least 90 days
prior to such  termination.  Upon  nonrenewal of the Employment Term pursuant to
this Section 3.1 or termination pursuant to Sections 3.2.1 through 3.2.6 hereof,
inclusive,  Executive shall be released from any duties hereunder (except as set
forth in Section 4 hereof) and the obligations of Employer to Executive shall be
as set forth in Section 3.3 hereof only.

               3.2. EVENTS OF  TERMINATION.  The Employment Term shall terminate
upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

                       3.2.1.   DEATH.  In the, event of Executive's death,  the
Employment Term shall terminate on the date of his death.

                       3.2.2.   WITHOUT  CAUSE  BY   EXECUTIVE.   Executive  may
terminate  the  Employment  Term at any time  during  such  Term for any  reason
whatsoever  by  giving  a  Notice  of  Termination  to  Employer.  The  Date  of
Termination  pursuant to this Section  3.2.2 shall be thirty (30) days after the
Notice of Termination is given.

                       3.2.3.   DISABILITY.   In  the   event   of   Executive's
Disability (as hereinafter defined),  Employer may, at its option, terminate the
Employment  Term by giving a Notice of Termination  to Executive.  The Notice of
Termination  shall  specify  the Date of  Termination,  which  date shall not be
earlier  than thirty  (30) days after the Notice of  Termination  is given.  For
purposes of this  Agreement,  "Disability"  means  disability  as defined in any


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long-term   disability  insurance  policy  provided  by  Employer  and  insuring
Executive, or, in the absence of any such policy, the inability of Executive for
180 days in any twelve  (12) month  period to  substantially  perform his duties
hereunder as a result of a physical or mental illness, all as determined in good
faith by the Board.

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                       3.2.4.   FOR CAUSE BY EMPLOYER.  Employer  may  terminate
the Employment  Term for "Cause" based on objective  factors  determined in good
faith by a  majority  of the Board as set forth in a Notice  of  Termination  to
Executive  specifying  the  reasons  for  termination  and  the  failure  of the
Executive to cure the same within ten (10) days after  Employer shall have given
the Notice of  Termination;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that in the event the Board in
good  faith  determines  that  the  underlying   reasons  giving  rise  to  such
determination  cannot be cured, then the ten (10) day period shall not apply and
the  Employment  Term shall  terminate on the date the Notice of  Termination is
given.  For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  "Cause"  shall mean (i)  Executive's
conviction  of,  guilty  or no  contest  plea to, or  confession  of guilt of, a
felony,  or other crime  involving moral  turpitude;  (ii) an act or omission by
Executive in connection with his employment  that  constitutes  fraud,  criminal
misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, dishonesty, gross negligence, malfeasance,
willful misconduct or other conduct that is materially harmful or detrimental to
Employer;  (iii)  a  material  breach  by  Executive  of  this  Agreement;  (iv)
continuing  failure to perform  such  duties as are  assigned  to  Executive  by
Employer in accordance with this Agreement,  other than a failure resulting from
a Disability;  (v) Executive's knowingly taking any action on behalf of Employer
or any of its affiliates without appropriate authority to take such action; (vi)
Executive's knowingly taking any action in conflict of interest with Employer or
any of its affiliates given Executive's position with Employer; and/or (vii) the
commission of an act of personal  dishonesty by Executive that involves personal
profit in connection with Employer.

                       3.2.5.   WITHOUT   CAUSE  BY   EMPLOYER.   Employer   may
terminate the Employment Term for any reason or no reason whatsoever (other than
for the reasons set forth  elsewhere  in this Section 3.2) by giving a Notice of
Termination to Executive.  The Notice of  Termination  shall specify the Date of
Termination,  which date shall not be earlier  than  thirty  (30) days after the
Notice of  Termination  is given or such shorter period if Employer shall pay to
Executive  that  amount of the Base  Salary  amount  that would have been earned
between the thirty (30) day period and such shorter period.

                       3.2.6.   EMPLOYER'S   MATERIAL   BREACH.   Executive  may
terminate the Employment Term upon Employer's  material breach of this Agreement
and the  continuation  of such breach for more than ten (10) days after  written
demand for cure of such breach is given to Employer by Executive  (which  demand
shall  identify  the  manner in which  Employer  has  materially  breached  this
Agreement).  Employer's  material  breach of this  Agreement  shall mean (i) the
failure of Employer to make any payment that it is required to make hereunder to
Executive  when such payment is due or within two (2) business days  thereafter;
(ii) the assignment to Executive,  without  Executive's express written consent,
of duties  inconsistent  with his  positions,  responsibilities  and status with
Employer,  or a change  in  Executive's  reporting  responsibilities,  titles or
offices  or any plan,  act,  scheme or design to  constructively  terminate  the
Executive, or any removal of Executive from his positions with Employer,  except
in connection with the termination of the Employment Term by Employer for Cause,
without  Cause or Disability  or as a result of  Executive's  death or voluntary
resignation or by Executive  other than pursuant to this Section 3.2.6;  (iii) a
reduction  by  Employer  in  Executive's  Base  Salary;   or  (iv)  a  permanent

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reassignment  of  Executive's  primary  work  location,  without  the consent of
Executive, to a location more than 35 miles from Employer's executive offices in
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

               3.3.  CERTAIN  OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYER  FOLLOWING  TERMINATION OF
THE EMPLOYMENT  TERM.  Following  termination  of the Employment  Term under the
circumstances described below, Employer shall pay to Executive or his estate, as
the case may be, the following  compensation and provide the following  benefits
in full satisfaction and final settlement of any and all claims and demands that
Executive  now  has  or  hereafter  may  have  hereunder  against  Employer.  In
connection  with  Executive's  receipt of any or all monies and  benefits  to be
received  pursuant to this Section 3.3,  Executive shall not have a duty to seek
subsequent  employment  during  the  period in which he is  receiving  severance
payments and the Severance Amount (as defined in Section 3.3.2 hereof) shall not
be reduced solely as a result of Executive's  subsequent employment by an entity
other than Employer.

                       3.3.1.   FOR CAUSE. In the event that the Employment Term
is  terminated  by Employer for Cause,  Employer  shall pay to  Executive,  in a
single lump-sum  within 30 days of the Date of  Termination,  an amount equal to
any unpaid but earned Base Salary through the Date of Termination.

                       3.3.2.   WITHOUT  CAUSE BY EMPLOYER;  MATERIAL  BREACH BY
EMPLOYER;  NON-RENEWAL  BY EMPLOYER.  In the event that the  Employment  Term is
terminated by Employer pursuant to Section 3.2.5 hereof or by Executive pursuant
to Section 3.2.6 hereof,  or is not renewed by Employer  pursuant to Section 3.1
hereof,  Employer shall pay to Executive severance in an amount equal to two (2)
times his Base Amount,  and Executive shall retain all vested  benefits  granted
pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.  For purposes  hereof,  "Base Amount" shall mean
the  Base  Salary  in  effect  at such  applicable  time  plus,  if  Executive's
termination is not a result of, in whole or in part, Executive's  performance in
respect of his duties  hereunder,  the amount of  Executive's  last  annual cash
bonus pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof.  Any payments made in accordance with this
Section 3.3.2 shall be made in twenty-four (24) equal monthly  installments from
the Date of Termination in accordance with Employer's regular payroll practices,
or, if upon agreement of Executive and Employer, in a lump sum within 30 days of
the Date of Termination,  subject to Executive's  continued  compliance with the
terms of Section 4 hereof and the execution by Executive of Employer's  standard
form Release Agreement in effect at the time.

                       3.3.3.   WITHOUT  CAUSE  BY  EXECUTIVE;  ELECTION  NOT TO
RENEW BY  EXECUTIVE.  In the event that the  Employment  Term is  terminated  by
Executive pursuant to Section 3.2.2 hereof or Executive elects not to renew this
Agreement pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof,  Employer shall pay to Executive, in a
single lump-sum  within 30 days of the Date of  Termination,  an amount equal to
any unpaid but earned Base Salary through the Date of Termination.

                       3.3.4.   DEATH,   DISABILITY.   In  the  event  that  the
Employment Term is terminated by reason of Executive's death pursuant to Section
3.2.1  hereof or by Employer  by reason of  Executive's  Disability  pursuant to


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Section 3.2.3 hereof,  Employer shall pay to Executive,  subject to, in the case
of  Disability,  Executive's  continued  compliance  with Section 4 hereof,  the
Severance Amount,  less any life insurance and/or disability  insurance received
by Executive or his estate pursuant to insurance  policies  provided by Employer
(including pursuant to Section 2.5.5 hereof), payable in accordance with Section
3.3.2 hereof, and Executive shall retain all vested benefits granted pursuant to
Section 2.4 hereof.

                       3.3.5.   POST-EMPLOYMENT  TERM  BENEFITS.  In  the  event
Executive  is  terminated  pursuant  to Sections  3.2.1  through  3.2.6  hereof,
inclusive,  or either  Employer or Executive  elects not to renew this Agreement
pursuant to Section 3.1  hereof,  Employer  shall  reimburse  Executive  for any
unpaid  expenses  pursuant to Section 2.5.1 hereof,  and Executive will have the
opportunity and responsibility to elect COBRA continuation  coverage pursuant to
the  terms of that law and will thus be  responsible  for the  execution  of the
continuation  of coverage  forms upon  termination  of his  insurance  coverage.
Except as provided  immediately  below,  Executive will be  responsible  for all
COBRA payments.  Specifically,  if Executive is terminated  pursuant to Sections
3.2.3,  3.2.5 or 3.2.6 hereof,  or Employer  elects not to renew this  Agreement
pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof,  Executive shall be entitled to participate,  at
Employer's  expense, in all medical and health plans and programs of Employer in
accordance  with  COBRA for a period of  eighteen  (18)  months  (the  "Benefits
Period"),  subject to the  execution by Executive of  Employer's  standard  form
Release  Agreement in effect at the time and  Executive's  continued  compliance
with the  terms of  Section  4  hereof;  PROVIDED,  that  Executive's  continued
participation is legally possible under the general terms and provisions of such
plans and  programs;  and  PROVIDED,  FURTHER,  that in the event  Executive  is
entitled to equal or comparable  benefits from a subsequent  employer during the
Benefits  Period,  Employer's  obligation with respect thereto  pursuant to this
Section 3.3.5 shall end as of such date.

                       3.3.6.   EQUITY AWARDS.
                                -------------

                       (a) If, within  twelve (12) months  following a Change of
Control (as defined in Section 3.4.1 hereof) of Employer, the Employment Term is
terminated  other than for Cause,  then  Executive  (or his  estate)  shall have
twenty-four  (24) months  from the date of  termination  to exercise  any vested
equity awards;  PROVIDED,  that the relevant equity award plan remains in effect
and such equity awards shall not have otherwise  expired in accordance  with the
terms thereof.  In connection  therewith,  Employer  agrees to use  commercially
reasonable  efforts to amend Executive's Equity Award Agreements if necessary to
effectuate the provisions of this Section 3.3.6(a).

                       (b) In the event the Employment Term is terminated (i) by
Employer pursuant to Section 3.2.5 hereof and the reason for such termination is
not  related to the  performance  of  Executive  in his duties  with  respect to
Employer, or (ii) by Executive pursuant to Section 3.2.6 hereof, then all equity
awards theretofore granted to Executive shall thereupon vest and Executive shall
have twenty-four (24) months from such date to exercise such options;  PROVIDED,
that the relevant  equity  award plan  remains in effect and such equity  awards
shall not have  otherwise  expired  in  accordance  with the terms  thereof.  In
connection therewith,  Employer agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to

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amend  Executive's  Equity  Award  Agreements  if necessary  to  effectuate  the
provisions of this Section 3.3.6(b).

               3.4.    DEFINITIONS.
                       -----------

                       3.4.1. "CHANGE OF CONTROL" DEFINED. A "Change of Control"
of  Employer  means (i) the  approval  by the  stockholders  of Par of the sale,
lease,   exchange  or  other   transfer   (other   than   pursuant  to  internal
reorganization) by Par of all or substantially all of its respective assets to a
single purchaser or to a group of associated purchasers; (ii) the first purchase
of shares of equity  securities  of Par  pursuant to a tender  offer or exchange
offer  (other than an offer by Par) for at least  fifteen  (15%)  percent of the
equity  securities of Par; (iii) the approval by the  stockholders  of Par of an
agreement  for a merger or  consolidation  in which Par shall not  survive as an
independent,  publicly-owned  corporation;  (iv) the  acquisition  (including by
means of a merger) by a single purchaser or a group of associated  purchasers of
securities  of Par from either Par or any third party  representing  thirty-five
(35%)  percent or more of the combined  voting  power of Par's then  outstanding
equity  securities  in one or a  related  series  of  transactions  (other  than
pursuant to an internal reorganization) or (v) the change of the membership of a
majority of the Board during any period of two (2) consecutive years, unless the
election,  or the  nomination  for election by Par's  stockholders,  of each new
director was approved by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the directors of the
Board still in office who were directors of Par at the beginning of the period.

                       3.4.2.  "NOTICE  OF  TERMINATION"  DEFINED.   "Notice  of
Termination"  means a written  notice that  indicates  the specific  termination
provision  relied  upon by  Employer  or  Executive  and,  except in the case of
termination  pursuant to Sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2 or 3.2.5 hereof,  that sets forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances  claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Employment Term under the termination provision so indicated.

                       3.4.3.   "DATE   OF   TERMINATION"   DEFINED.   "Date  of
Termination" means such date as the Employment Term is expired if not renewed or
terminated in accordance with Sections 3.1 or 3.2 hereof.

          4.   CONFIDENTIALITY/ NON-SOLICITATION/NON-COMPETE.
               ---------------------------------------------

               4.1.    "CONFIDENTIAL    INFORMATION"   DEFINED.    "Confidential
Information"  means  any and all  information  (oral  or  written)  relating  to
Employer or any Subsidiary or any person or entity  controlling,  controlled by,
or  under  common  control  with  Employer  or any  Subsidiary  or any of  their
respective activities,  including,  but not limited to, information relating to:
technology,  research,  test  procedures  and results,  machinery and equipment;
manufacturing   processes;   financial  information;   products;   identity  and
description  of  materials  and  services  used;  purchasing;   costs;  pricing;
customers and  prospects;  advertising,  promotion and  marketing;  and selling,
servicing and information pertaining to any governmental  investigation,  except
such information which becomes public, other than as a result of a breach of the
provisions of Section 4.2 hereof.

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               4.2. NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  Executive shall
not at any time (other than as may be required or appropriate in connection with
the performance by him of his duties  hereunder),  directly or indirectly,  use,
communicate,  disclose or disseminate any Confidential Information in any manner
whatsoever  for the benefit of any person or entity other than Employer  (except
as may be required under legal process by subpoena or other court order).

               4.3.  NON-SOLICITATION.  Executive  shall not,  while employed by
Employer  and for a period of one (1) year  following  the Date of  Termination,
directly or indirectly,  hire, offer to hire, entice away or in any other manner
persuade or attempt to persuade any officer,  employee,  agent, lessor,  lessee,
licensor, licensee,  customer,  prospective customer, or supplier of Employer or
any of its  Subsidiaries  to discontinue or alter his or its  relationship  with
Employer or any of its Subsidiaries.

               4.4.  NON-COMPETITION.  Executive  shall not,  while  employed by
Employer  and for a period of one (1) year  following  the Date of  Termination,
directly or indirectly  provide any services (whether in the management,  sales,
marketing,  public relations,  finance, research,  development,  general office,
administrative,  or other areas) as an employee,  agent,  stockholder,  officer,
director,  consultant,  advisor, investor, or other representative of Employer's
competitors  in the branded or generic  pharmaceutical  industry in any state or
country in which Employer does or seeks to do business.  Employer's  competitors
include any entity,  individual, or affiliate of such company or individual that
develops,  sells,  markets, or distributes any products that compete with or are
the same or similar to those of  Employer.  However,  the  restrictions  of this
paragraph 4.4 shall not apply if the  Employment  Term is terminated by Employer
pursuant to Section  3.2.5 hereof or by Executive  properly  pursuant to Section
3.2.6 hereof;  nor shall this paragraph  prohibit Executive from being a passive
owner of not more than one percent (1%) of any publicly-traded  class of capital
stock of any entity engaged in a competing business.

               4.5.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree
that (a) the type, scope and periods of restrictions  imposed in paragraph 4 are
necessary,  fair  and  reasonable  to  protect  Employer's  legitimate  business
interests and to prevent the  inevitable  disclosure of Employer's  Confidential
Information;  (b) Employer will be irreparably  injured in the event of a breach
by  Executive  of any of his  obligations  under this  Section  4; (c)  monetary
damages will not be an adequate remedy for any such breach; (d) Employer will be
entitled to  injunctive  relief,  in addition to any other  remedy  which it may
have, in the event of any such breach;  and (e) the existence of any claims that
Executive may have against Employer,  whether under this Agreement or otherwise,
will not be a defense to the  enforcement by Employer of any of its rights under
this Section 4.

               4.6.  NON-EXCLUSIVITY  AND  SURVIVAL.  The covenants of Executive
contained  in this  Section  4 are in  addition  to,  and not in  lieu  of,  any
obligations  that  Executive may have with respect to the subject matter hereof,
whether by contract,  as a matter of law or  otherwise,  and such  covenants and

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their  enforceability  shall survive any  termination of the Employment  Term by
either party and any  investigation  made with respect to the breach  thereof by
Employer at any time.

          5.   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
               ------------------------

               5.1. SEVERABILITY. If, in any jurisdiction, any term or provision
hereof is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, (a) the remaining terms and
provisions   hereof   shall  be   unimpaired;   (b)  any  such   invalidity   or
unenforceability   in  any   jurisdiction   shall  not   invalidate   or  render
unenforceable such provision in any other  jurisdiction;  and (c) the invalid or
unenforceable  term or provision  shall, for purposes of such  jurisdiction,  be
deemed  replaced by a term or provision that is valid and  enforceable  and that
comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or  unenforceable  term
or provision.

               5.2. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more  counterparts,  and by the  different  parties  hereto  in  separate
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original  but all of which
taken together  shall  constitute one and the same agreement (and all signatures
need not  appear  on any one  counterpart),  and  this  Agreement  shall  become
effective when one or more  counterparts  has been signed by each of the parties
hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto.

               5.3.   NOTICES.   All  notices,   requests,   demands  and  other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given upon
receipt when delivered by hand,  overnight  delivery or telecopy (with confirmed
delivery),  or  three  (3)  business  days  after  posting,  when  delivered  by
registered or certified mail or private courier service, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, as follows:

      If to Employer, to:

            Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.
            300 Tice Boulevard
            Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677
            Attention:  Chairman
            Telecopy No.  201-802-4620

      Copy to:

            Christine A. Amalfe, Esq.
            Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, P.C.
            One Riverfront Plaza
            Newark, New Jersey  07102-5496
            Telecopy No.: (201) 639-6230

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      If to Executive, to:

            John MacPhee
            c/o Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
            300 Tice Boulevard
            Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677

            And

            John MacPhee
            280 Greenway Road
            Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

or to such other  address(es)  as a party hereto shall have  designated  by like
notice to the other parties hereto.

               5.4.  AMENDMENT.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
amended,  waived or  discharged  in any  manner  except by a written  instrument
executed by both Par and Executive.

               5.5.  ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  and,  with  respect to
Section 3.3.6 hereof,  Executive's  Equity Award Agreements and governing equity
award plans  constitute the entire  agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to  the  subject  matter  hereof,   and  supersede  all  prior   agreements  and
understandings  of the  parties  hereto,  oral or  written,  including,  but not
limited to, the parties' Employment Agreement dated December 20, 2004. Executive
and Employer hereby agree that the Employment Agreement dated December 20, 2004,
is hereby superseded and of no further force and effect, and that this Agreement
shall be effective as of the date hereof.  In the event of any conflict  between
Section 3.3.6 hereof and Executive's  Equity Award  Agreements and the governing
equity award plans, Section 3.3.6 shall govern.

               5.6.  APPLICABLE  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the laws of the State of New Jersey  applicable to
contracts made and to be wholly performed therein.

               5.7.  HEADINGS.  The headings  contained  herein are for the sole
purpose of  convenience  of reference,  and shall not in any way limit or affect
the  meaning  or  interpretation  of any of the  terms  or  provisions  of  this
Agreement.

               5.8.  BINDING EFFECT;  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Executive may not
delegate any of his duties or assign his rights hereunder.  This Agreement shall
inure to the  benefit  of, and be binding  upon,  the  parties  hereto and their
respective  heirs,  legal  representatives,  successors  and permitted  assigns.
Employer shall require any successor  (whether direct or indirect and whether by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business  and/or  assets of  Employer,  by an  agreement  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory to Executive,  to expressly assume and agree to perform
this  Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Employer would be
required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

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               5.9. WAIVER,  ETC. The failure of either of the parties hereto to
at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement  shall not be deemed
or construed to be a waiver of any such provision,  nor to in any way affect the
validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of either of the
parties hereto thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement.
No waiver of any  breach of any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall be
effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party against
whom or which  enforcement  of such waiver is sought,  and no waiver of any such
breach shall be  construed  or deemed to be a waiver of any other or  subsequent
breach.

               5.10. CAPACITY,  ETC. Executive and Employer hereby represent and
warrant  to the other  that,  as the case may be:  (a) he or it has full  power,
authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform his
or its obligations hereunder; (b) such execution, delivery and performance shall
not (and with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would not) result in
the breach of any  agreements or other  obligations to which he or it is a party
or he or it is otherwise  bound;  and (c) this Agreement is his or its valid and
binding obligation in accordance with its terms.

               5.11.  ENFORCEMENT;  JURISDICTION.  If any party institutes legal
action to enforce or interpret the terms and conditions of this  Agreement,  the
prevailing  party shall be awarded  reasonable  attorneys' fees at all trial and
appellate  levels,  and the expenses and costs incurred by such prevailing party
in connection therewith.  Any legal action, suit or proceeding,  in equity or at
law,  arising  out  of  or  relating  to  this  Agreement  shall  be  instituted
exclusively  in the State or Federal  courts located in the State of New Jersey,
and  each  party  agrees  not to  assert,  by way of  motion,  as a  defense  or
otherwise, in any such action, suit or proceeding,  any claim that such party is
not subject  personally to the jurisdiction of any such court,  that the action,
suit or proceeding is brought in an  inconvenient  forum,  that the venue of the
action,  suit or proceeding is improper or should be  transferred,  or that this
Agreement  or the  subject  matter  hereof may not be enforced in or by any such
court.  Each party further  irrevocably  submits to the jurisdiction of any such
court in any such action, suit or proceeding. Any and all service of process and
any other  notice in any such  action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be  effective
against any party if given personally or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt  requested or by any other means of mail that requires a signed receipt,
postage  prepaid,  mailed  to such  party as  herein  provided.  Nothing  herein
contained  shall be  deemed  to  affect or limit the right of any party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

               5.12.  ARBITRATION.
                      -----------

                      (a)    Any dispute under Section 3 hereof,  including, but
not  limited  to,  the  determination  by the Board of a  termination  for Cause
pursuant to Section 3.2.4 hereof,  or in respect of the breach  thereof shall be
settled by arbitration in New Jersey.  The arbitration  shall be accomplished in
the following manner. Either party may serve upon the other party written demand
that  the  dispute,  specifying  the  nature  thereof,  shall  be  submitted  to
arbitration.  Within ten (10) days after such demand is given in accordance with
Section 5.3 hereof,  each of the  parties  shall  designate  an  arbitrator  and

                                       12


provide written notice of such appointment upon the other party. If either party
fails  within the  specified  time to appoint such  arbitrator,  the other party
shall be  entitled  to appoint  both  arbitrators.  The two (2)  arbitrators  so
appointed shall appoint a third  arbitrator.  If the two  arbitrators  appointed
fail to  agree  upon a  third  arbitrator  within  ten  (10)  days  after  their
appointment,  then an  application  may be made by  either  party  hereto,  upon
written notice to the other party, to the American Arbitration  Association (the
"AAA"),  or any  successor  thereto,  or if the AAA or its  successor  fails  to
appoint a third arbitrator within ten (10) days after such request,  then either
party may apply,  with written notice to the other, to the Superior Court of New
Jersey,  Bergen County, for the appointment of a third arbitrator,  and any such
appointment so made shall be binding upon both parties hereto.

                       (b)   The decision of the arbitrators  shall be final and
binding upon the  parties.  The party  against  whom the award is rendered  (the
"non-prevailing  party")  shall  pay  all  fees  and  expenses  incurred  by the
prevailing  party  in  connection  with  the  arbitration  (including  fees  and
disbursements of the prevailing party's counsel), as well as the expenses of the
arbitration  proceeding.  The arbitrators  shall determine in their decision and
award which of the parties is the prevailing party,  which is the non-prevailing
party,  the  amount of the fees and  expenses  of the  prevailing  party and the
amount of the arbitration expenses.  The arbitration shall be conducted,  to the
extent consistent with this Section 5.12, in accordance with the then prevailing
rules of commercial  arbitration  of the AAA or its successor.  The  arbitrators
shall have the right to retain and  consult  experts and  competent  authorities
skilled in the matters under arbitration, but all consultations shall be made in
the presence of both parties, who shall have the full right to cross-examine the
experts and  authorities.  The  arbitrators  shall render their award,  upon the
concurrence  of at least two of their  number,  not later than  thirty (30) days
after the appointment of the third  arbitrator.  The decision and award shall be
in writing, and counterpart copies shall be delivered to each of the parties. In
rendering  an award,  the  arbitrators  shall have no power to modify any of the
provisions  of  this  Agreement,  and the  jurisdiction  of the  arbitrators  is
expressly  limited  accordingly.  Judgment  may be  entered  on the award of the
arbitrators and may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction.



                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Agreement has been executed and delivered by
the parties hereto as of the date first above written.



                                    PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.


                                    By:/s/ Stephen Montalto
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Name:Stephen Montalto
                                       Title: Vice President, Human Resources



                                    /s/ John Macphee
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    John MacPhee


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