Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc
Hampshire International Business Park,
Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8EP  UK                        Shire
Tel +44 1256 894000 Fax +44 1256 894708
http://www.shire.com


13.05  BST 8.05am EDT

                      FDA response to Noven METHYPATCH(R)*

Basingstoke, UK - 28 April 2003 - Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (LSE: SHP,
NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) notes today's announcement by Noven Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. that it has received a `not approvable' letter from the U.S. FDA (Food &
Drug Administration) in response to its New Drug Application (NDA) for
METHYPATCH(R)*.

Shire recently acquired the worldwide sales and marketing rights to METHYPATCH,
which is the first ever transdermal delivery system for the once daily treatment
of ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder).

Says President and CEO of Shire US Inc., Bill Nuerge:

"This is a surprising and disappointing response to Noven's NDA. Based on the
data submitted to date, the FDA considers the submission `not approvable'. Noven
will meet with the FDA in the near future in order to understand fully the
nature of the FDA's concerns and discuss the next steps for METHYPATCH. Shire
will in turn discuss with Noven the most appropriate way forward."

When Shire acquired the rights to METHYPATCH, it did so on a phased payment
basis dependent on the approval steps for this product.


Ends


For further information please contact:

Global (outside US and Canada)

Gordon Ngan - Investor Relations                   +44 1256 894 160

Jessica Mann - Media                               +44 1256 894 280

US & Canada

Michele Roy - Media                                +1 450 978 7876



Notes to editors

* registered trademark of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.





Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (Shire) is a rapidly growing international
specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on four therapeutic
areas - central nervous system disorders (CNS), oncology, gastro-intestinal (GI)
and anti-infectives. Shire also has three platform technologies: advanced drug
delivery, lead optimisation for small molecules and biologics. Shire's core
strategy is based on research and development combined with in licensing and a
focus on eight key pharmaceutical markets.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website:
www.shire.com

THE "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995. Statements included herein that are not historical facts, are
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of
risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such
risks or uncertainties materialise, Shire's results could be materially
affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product
development and commercialisation, patents, government regulation and approval,
including but not limited to the expected product approval date of lanthanum
carbonate (FOSRENOL(R)), the impact of competitive products, including but not
limited to the impact of same on Shire's ADHD franchise, and other risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings, including the Annual
Report filed on Form 10-K by Shire with the Securities and Exchange Commission.