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CONTACT:
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Kara Stancell, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, (602) 808-3854


           MEDICIS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2004 FINANCIAL RESULTS

SCOTTSDALE,  Arizona--April 29,  2004--Medicis  (NYSE:MRX) today announced third
quarter fiscal 2004 revenues of $81.8 million with  "if-converted" net income of
$21.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to third quarter fiscal 2003
revenues of $62.6 million with net income of $15.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted
share,  absent a $5.5  million  tax-effected  special  charge  reported in third
quarter fiscal 2003 associated  with a research and  development  collaboration.
Including the tax-effected  special charge of $5.5 million, the Company reported
Generally Accepted  Accounting  Principles ("GAAP") net income of $10.2 million,
or $0.18 per diluted share for the third  quarter of fiscal 2003.  Third quarter
fiscal 2004 diluted per share amounts are  calculated  using the  "if-converted"
method  of  accounting  in  accordance  with  GAAP due to the  outstanding  2.5%
Convertible  Senior Notes  meeting the criteria for  conversion,  regardless  of
whether the bondholders  actually convert their bonds into shares. Third quarter
fiscal 2003 diluted per share amounts do not reflect the "if-converted"  method,
as the criteria for conversion had not been met.

Third quarter fiscal 2004 revenues  increased  approximately  31% primarily as a
result of net overall  growth in sales of the Company's  core brands,  including
both U.S. and Canadian sales of  RESTYLANE(R).  At the end of the third quarter,
the  Company's  core  brands   included   DYNACIN(R),   LOPROX(R),   OMNICEF(R),
ORAPRED(R), PLEXION(R), RESTYLANE(R) and TRIAZ(R). These core brands represented
approximately  87% of total product  sales.  Prescription  volume growth for the
Company's  core brands,  excluding  RESTYLANE(R),  increased 12% in both new and
total  prescriptions.  The  Company's  gross profit margin was 84% for the third
quarter fiscal 2004.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2004,  Medicis  reported  revenues of $215.8
million with  "if-converted"  net income of $48.7 million,  or $0.76 per diluted
share,  absent a $37.5  million  tax-effected  loss  associated  with the  early
extinguishment  of debt  reported  in the first nine  months of fiscal  2004 and
absent a $1.6 million tax-effected special charge associated with a research and
development  collaboration  reported  in the first nine  months of fiscal  2004.
Including the tax-effected  special charges of $37.5 million and $1.6 million in
the nine months ended March 31, 2004, Medicis reported a GAAP net income of $7.1
million,  or $0.12 per diluted  share for the first nine months of fiscal  2004.
Comparatively,  in the  first  nine  months  of fiscal  2003,  Medicis  reported
revenues  of  $180.8  million  with net  income of $46.4  million,  or $0.82 per
diluted share,  absent an $8.9 million  tax-effected  special charge reported in
the first nine months of fiscal 2003  associated with a research and development
collaboration.  Including  the  tax-effected  special  charge  of $8.9  million,
Medicis  reported GAAP net income of $37.4  million,  or $0.66 per diluted share
for the first nine  months of fiscal  2003.  For the first nine months of fiscal
2004,  diluted per share amounts (absent special  charges) are calculated  using
the  "if-converted"  method of accounting in accordance  with GAAP. For the nine
months ended March 31, 2004,  the dilutive  shares  relative to the  convertible
notes do not impact GAAP earnings per share, as they are anti-dilutive.  For the
first nine months of fiscal 2003,  diluted per share  amounts do not reflect the
"if-converted" method, as the criteria for conversion had not been met.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2004,  revenue  increased  approximately 19%
primarily  as a result  of net  overall  growth in sales of the  Company's  core
brands, including both U.S. and Canadian sales of

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RESTYLANE(R). In the first nine months of fiscal 2004, the Company's core brands
represented approximately 87% of total product sales. Prescription volume growth
for the  Company's  core brands,  excluding  RESTYLANE(R),  increased 18% in new
prescriptions and 15% in total prescriptions.  The Company's gross profit margin
for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 was 84%.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  in third  quarter  fiscal 2004
increased   approximately  21%  to  $28.8  million,   as  the  Company  incurred
incremental  costs associated with the product launch and first U.S.  commercial
sales of RESTYLANE(R),  which began on January 6, 2004. The Company has incurred
incremental costs associated with the product launch,  including the hiring of a
dedicated aesthetics sales force,  additional  headquarters personnel to support
sales force efforts, including product management, customer service and training
personnel,  expenses  associated with public relations,  physician  training and
continuing medical education, and other administrative expenses.

"We are  pleased  to  announce a very solid  quarter  led by the U.S.  launch of
RESTYLANE(R),"  said Jonah  Shacknai,  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of
Medicis.  "RESTYLANE(R)  quickly is becoming the  preferred  dermal filler among
physicians and patients in the aesthetics marketplace. As a result of the strong
launch of RESTYLANE(R),  the Company  continues to expand its sales growth rate,
operating margins and net income margins. With the launch of innovative products
such as  RESTYLANE(R),  Medicis intends to maintain  leadership in the fields of
dermatology and aesthetics medicine."

Medicis   previously   released   updated   fiscal  2004  revenue   guidance  of
approximately $292 million and earnings per share guidance of $1.09. The Company
is  raising  its  previous  fiscal  2004  revenue  guidance  by  $8  million  to
approximately  $300 million,  and earnings per share guidance by $0.03 to $1.12,
excluding  special charges.  Based upon information  available  currently to the
Company, its guidance is as follows:


                                Fiscal Year 2004
                              ending June 30, 2004
                     (in millions, except per share amounts)



                              First Quarter       Second Quarter     Third Quarter       Fourth Quarter        Fiscal Year
                                (9/30/03)          (12/31/03)          (3/31/04)           (6/30/04)             2004
                                 Actual              Actual              Actual            Estimated           Estimated
                              ------------        ------------        ----------          ------------        ----------
                                                                                                  
Current revenue
  objectives                      $63                 $71                 $82                $84                 $300
Previous EPS guidance
  reflective of stock split*      $0.18               $0.24               $0.31              $0.35               $1.09
Current EPS objectives
  reflective of stock split*      $0.18               $0.25               $0.33              $0.36               $1.12


*Excluding  tax-effected loss on early  extinguishment of debt,  special charges
relating  to  research  and   development   collaborations   and  including  the
application of the "if-converted" method in accordance with GAAP

At the time of this disclosure, Medicis believes these objectives are attainable
based  upon  information  currently  available  to the  Company.  The  Company's
business is subject to all risk factors  outlined in the  Company's  most recent
annual report on Form 10-K, its Form S-3 registration  statement and other filed
documents  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  At the time of this
release, the Company cannot, among other things,  assess the forthcoming results
of the Company's research and development projects and the risks associated with
the FDA approval process,  risks associated with significant  competition within
the Company's industry, nor can the Company validate its assumptions of the full
impact on its business of the approval of  competitive  generic  versions of the
Company's  core brands,  or any future  competitive  product  approvals that may
affect the Company's  brands.  Additionally,  Medicis may acquire and/or license
products or technologies from third parties to enter into new strategic markets.
The  Company  periodically  makes  up-front,  non-refundable  payments  to third
parties for research and development work which has been

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completed and  periodically  makes  additional  non-refundable  payments for the
achievement of various milestones. There can be no certainty which periods these
potential payments could be made, nor if any payments such as these will be made
at all.  The above  estimated  future  guidance  does not include the  potential
payments associated with any such transactions.

Medicis  is the  leading  independent  specialty  pharmaceutical  company in the
United  States  focusing  primarily  on  the  treatment  of  dermatological  and
podiatric  conditions  and  aesthetics  medicine.  Medicis has  leading  branded
prescription  products in a number of therapeutic  categories,  including  acne,
eczema, fungal infections,  hyperpigmentation,  photoaging,  psoriasis, rosacea,
seborrheic  dermatitis  and skin and  skin-structure  infections.  The Company's
products  have earned wide  acceptance  by both  physicians  and patients due to
their clinical effectiveness, high quality and cosmetic elegance.

The Company's products include the prescription brands RESTYLANE(R),  DYNACIN(R)
(minocycline   HCl),   LOPROX(R)   (ciclopirox),    LUSTRA(R)    (hydroquinone),
LUSTRA-AF(R)  (hydroquinone)  with  sunscreen,  ALUSTRA(R)  (hydroquinone)  with
retinol,  OMNICEF(R)  (cefdinir),  ORAPRED(R)  (prednisolone  sodium phosphate),
PLEXION(R)  Cleanser  (sodium   sulfacetamide/sulfur),   PLEXION  TS(R)  (sodium
sulfacetamide/sulfur),  PLEXION SCT(R) (sodium  sulfacetamide/sulfur),  TRIAZ(R)
(benzoyl  peroxide),  LIDEX(R)  (fluocinonide),   and  SYNALAR(R)  (fluocinolone
acetonide),  the  over-the-counter  brand ESOTERICA(R),  and BUPHENYL(R) (sodium
phenylbutyrate), a prescription product indicated in the treatment of Urea Cycle
Disorder. For more information about Medicis, please visit the Company's website
at www.medicis.com.

Except for historical information,  this press release includes "forward-looking
statements"  within the meaning of the  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act.  All
statements  included in this press  release that address  activities,  events or
developments that Medicis expects,  believes or anticipates will or may occur in
the future are  forward-looking  statements.  This includes earnings  estimates,
future  financial  performance and other matters.  These statements are based on
certain  assumptions  made by Medicis based on its  experience and perception of
historical trends,  current  conditions,  expected future developments and other
factors it believes are  appropriate in the  circumstances.  Such statements are
subject to a number of assumptions,  risks and uncertainties,  many of which are
beyond the control of Medicis.  Any such  projections or statements  include the
current   views  of  Medicis  with  respect  to  future   events  and  financial
performance.  No assurances can be given,  however, that these events will occur
or that such results will be achieved.  Medicis cannot  validate its assumptions
of the full  impact on its  business  of the  approval  of  competitive  generic
versions of its core brands,  or any future  competitive  product approvals that
may affect its brands.  Also, there are a number of additional important factors
that could  cause  actual  results to differ  materially  from those  projected,
including  the  anticipated  size of the markets,  the  availability  of product
supply,  the receipt of required  regulatory  approvals,  the ability to realize
anticipated  synergies  and  benefits  of the Q-Med  transaction,  the risks and
uncertainties  normally incident to the pharmaceutical  industry,  dependence on
sales  of  key  products,  the  uncertainty  of  future  financial  results  and
fluctuations in operating results, dependence on Medicis' strategy including the
uncertainty  of license  payments  and/or other payments due from third parties,
the timing and success of new product  development  by Medicis or third parties,
product  introductions  and other risks  described from time to time in Medicis'
SEC filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
2003. There can be no assurance as to when or if any of the holders of the Notes
will  have the right to  convert  or if the Notes  will be  converted,  and what
impact the increase in the number of shares outstanding will have on its results
of  operations.  Forward-looking  statements  represent the judgment of Medicis'
management as of the date of this release,  and Medicis  disclaims any intent or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

NOTE:  Full  prescribing  information  for any Medicis  prescription  product is
available by contacting  the Company.  OMNICEF(R)  is a registered  trademark of
Abbott Laboratories, Inc. under a license from Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
ORAPRED(R) is a registered trademark of Ascent Pediatrics,  Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical  Corporation.  RESTYLANE(R) is a registered
trademark of HA North American Sales AB, a subsidiary of Medicis  Pharmaceutical
Corporation.  All other marks (or brands) and names are the  property of Medicis
or its Affiliates.

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                                     Medicis
                        Summary Statements of Operations
                        --------------------------------
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (unaudited)



                                                          Three Months Ended                   Nine Months Ended
                                                              March 31,                            March 31,
                                                  -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------
                                                         2004              2003               2004               2003
                                                  -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------
                                                                                                  
Revenues                                               $ 81,839         $ 62,575          $ 215,767           $ 180,834
Cost of sales                                            13,118            9,114             34,537              27,579
                                                       --------         --------           --------            --------
    Gross profit                                         68,721           53,461            181,230             153,255
Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative                  28,793           23,809             87,907              67,739
    Research and development                              3,084           11,189*            12,375**            21,352*
    Depreciation and amortization                         4,707            2,572             11,872               6,747
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                   ----             ----             58,660                ----
                                                       --------         --------           --------            --------
           Total operating expenses                      36,584           37,570            170,814              95,838
Operating income                                         32,137           15,891             10,416              57,417
Interest income (expense), net                             (335)            (161)              (449)                129
Income tax expense                                      (11,131)          (5,506)            (2,832)            (20,141)
                                                       --------         --------           --------            --------
    Net income                                         $ 20,671         $ 10,224          $   7,135           $  37,405
                                                       ========         ========             ======           =========
Basic net income per common share                         $0.37            $0.19              $0.13               $0.69
                                                          =====            =====              =====               =====
Diluted net income per common share                       $0.33***         $0.18              $0.12***            $0.66
                                                          =====            =====              =====               =====
Shares used in basic net income per common share         56,042           54,168             55,198              54,388
Shares used in diluted net income per common share       65,839           56,237             58,569              56,272

Cash flow from operations                              $ 37,446         $ 26,846          $  77,428           $  68,632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP Net income                                        $ 20,671         $ 10,224          $   7,135           $  37,405
   Interest expense and associated bond offering
   costs (tax-effected)                                     836***          ----              2,508***             ----
   Special charge for R&D (tax-effected)                   ----            5,544              1,575               8,946
   Loss on early extinguishment of debt (tax-effected)     ----             ----             37,474                ----
                                                       --------         --------           --------            --------
"If-converted" net income prior to special charge and
  loss on early extinguishment of debt                 $ 21,507         $ 15,768          $  48,692           $  46,351
                                                       ========         ========          =========           =========
         Shares used in diluted net income per common
         share                                           65,839           56,237             64,392              56,272
         Diluted net income per common share              $0.33            $0.28              $0.82               $0.76
                                                          =====            =====              =====               =====
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


*Reported  R&D expenses  include a special  charge of $8.8 million ($5.5 million
tax-effected)  in the third  quarter  of fiscal  2003 and  $14.2  million  ($8.9
million  tax-effected)  in the first nine  months of fiscal  2003  relating to a
research & development collaboration
**Reported  R&D expenses  include a special charge of $2.4 million ($1.6 million
tax-effected)  in the first nine months of fiscal 2004  relating to a research &
development collaboration
***To calculate  diluted  earnings per share,  tax-effected  net interest on the
2.5% contingent convertible notes and associated bond offering costs of $836,000
is added back to GAAP net income for the three months ended March 31, 2004,  and
divided by shares  used in diluted  net  income per common  share.  For the nine
months ended March 31, 2004,  the dilutive  shares  relative to the  convertible
notes do not impact earnings per share, as they are anti-dilutive.

                                 Balance Sheets
                                 --------------



                                                                       At March 31, 2004       At June 30, 2003
                                                                       -----------------       ----------------
                                                                          (unaudited)
                                                                                              
Assets
  Cash, cash equivalents & short-term investments                           $588,746                $552,663
  Accounts receivable, net                                                    49,902                  51,661
  Inventory, net                                                              19,609                  14,005
  Other current assets                                                        39,488                  27,299
                                                                              ------                  ------
     Total current assets                                                    697,745                 645,628
  Property and equipment, net                                                  5,596                   3,094
  Intangible assets, net                                                     327,513                 278,269
  Other assets                                                                 7,825                   9,999
                                                                               -----                   -----
     Total assets                                                         $1,038,679                $936,990
                                                                          ==========                ========

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
  Current liabilities                                                       $ 69,520                $ 68,847
  Contingent convertible senior notes 2.5% due 2032                          169,157                 400,000
  Contingent convertible senior notes 1.5% due 2033                          283,910                     ---
  Deferred tax liability                                                         460                   7,022
  Stockholders' equity                                                       515,632                 461,121
                                                                   -         -------                 -------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                           $1,038,679                $936,990
                                                                          ==========                ========

Working capital                                                             $628,225                $576,781
                                                                            ========                ========


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