EXHIBIT 10.7

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                  THIS PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement") is made this 17 day of
October,1995  by and between  NICHE  PHARMACEUTICALS,  INC, a Texas  corporation
("Purchaser") and Dow Hickam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
Texas corporation ("Seller").

         WHEREAS,  Seller  owns all  right,  title and  interest  in and to that
certain product known as Unifiber(R) (the "Product"); and

         WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to purchase, and Seller desires to sell, all
of Seller's  right,  title and interest in and to the Product,  on the terms and
conditions herein set forth;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises,  and the  mutual
covenants and conditions herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

         1.  PURCHASE AND SALE.  Seller shall sell to  Purchaser  and  Purchaser
shall  purchase  from  Seller  on the  terms  and  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement,  all of  Seller's  right,  title  and  interest,  both  tangible  and
intangible, in and to the Product, free and clear of all claims, liens, security
interests and encumbrances, including but not limited to the following:

                  A. All state and federal patent, trademark, trade dress,
         trade name and copyright rights, whether registered or not;

                  B. All right, title and interest in and to contracts,
         commitments, and orders for the Product and all deposits and
         pre-payments, if any, held by Seller therefor;

                  C. All advertising, promotional and educational materials
         and literature, including all artwork related thereto;

                  D. All educational and training materials;

                  E. All clinical and medical data, studies and information
         within the possession or knowledge of Seller concerning the
         Product;

                  F. All targeted sales data regarding physician, nurse and
         other customer users. Purchasers or distributors of the

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         Product,  including customer,  physician,  nurse and distributor lists,
         and all chargeback lists pertaining to product bids or contracts, and;

                  G. All goodwill associated with the Product; and

                  H. Seller shall  provide to Purchaser as set forth in Sections
         6 and 10  (sub-sections  A, B, and C),  finished/packaged  inventory of
         Product,  which shall be a six (6) months  supply of each unit  offered
         for sale. The unit  breakdown of this  inventory  shall be based on the
         previous six (6) months net unit sales.

         2. PURCHASE PRICE.  The total purchase price to be paid by Purchaser to
Seller for all the  property,  assets,  inventory and rights of Seller in and to
the Product and the Covenant Not to Compete (as set forth herein below) shall be
a  minimum  sum of  ONE  MILLION  SEVEN  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  and  No/100  DOLLARS
($1,700,000.00)  or 20% of  annual  Unifiber  Net  Sales  over the five (5) year
installment  period  with  a  maximum  payment  cap  of  Three  Million  Dollars
($3,000,000).

         3. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. At the Closing Date, Purchaser shall pay
to Seller the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND and No/100 DOLLARS ($200,000.00) The
balance of the purchase price shall be paid in five (5) annual installments. 
Such installments shall be as follows:

                      Purchaser shall pay to Seller the greater of


                      Due Date           Minimum             
                      On or Before       Payment        or      Maximum Payment
                      --------------     --------------------------------------
 
Down Payment          October 31, 1995   $  200,000.00
installment One       March 31, 1997     $  200,000.00      or 20% of net sales
Installment Two       March 31, 1998     $  250,000.00      or 20% of net sales
Installment Three     March 31, 1999     $  300,000.00      or 20% of net sales
Installment Four      March 31, 2000     $  350,000.00      or 20% of net sales
Installment Five      March 31, 2001     $  400,000.00      or 20% of net sales

TOTAL                                    $1,700,000.00      or 20% of net sales
                                                            capped at $3,000,000

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Each such installment  shall be due and payable beginning on or before March 31,
1997 and each  successive  anniversary  date thereof over the following four (4)
years  and  shall  be  accompanied  by  a  declaration  made  by  an  authorized
representative  of  Purchaser  certifying  the  accuracy  of the Net  Sales  and
Installment  payment  calculations.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  Net Sales
shall mean (i) the gross amount  invoiced by Purchaser,  or its  affiliates,  if
any,  to bona  fide  customers,  wholesalers  or  distributors  in arm's  length
transactions excluding those sales to affiliates of Purchaser who are purchasing
for resale to a third  party,  or (ii) the gross  amount  which  would have been
invoiced  had such  sales  been made as a bona fide,  arm's  length  sale of the
Product, less:

                  A. quantity and/or normal and customary cash discounts
         allowed or taken;

                  B. customs, duties, and taxes (not including sales or
         income taxes payable by Purchaser or its affiliate paid
         related to such sale; and,

                  C. rebates, administrative fees, reimbursements or other
         similar payments to or for Medicaid or any other government
         programs.

         4. GUARANTEE. Purchaser shall cause to be executed and
delivered to Seller prior to or upon Closing Date, a personal
guarantee for al1 amounts due to Seller hereunder from Stephen F.
Brandon, majority shareholder of Purchaser.

         5. CLOSING DATE. The consummation of this transaction  shall be on such
date  after  December  31,  1995 as  Seller  and  Purchaser  agree  that  all or
substantially  all of the  distributors  or  purchasers of the Product have been
notified of the pending change in ownership of the Product (the "Closing Date").
However,  in no event  shall such  closing be later than  January 31,  1996.  An
actual physical

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Closing Date is not required and the parties may exchange and deliver  documents
and other  property  and things  hereunder  by mail,  overnight  delivery,  wire
transfer or other means.

         6. SELLER'S DELIVERY AT CLOSING DATE. At the Closing Date,
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser the following:

                  A.  Such  bills of sale,  assignments  and  other  instruments
         deemed  necessary or proper to transfer to Purchaser  all of the rights
         and  interests  in and to the  Product  being  sold  pursuant  to  this
         Agreement,  free  and  clear of all  liens,  charges  and  encumbrances
         whatsoever; and

                  B. Any payment which may be due from Seller to Purchaser
         as set forth in Section 10;

                  C. All inventory that is remaining, if any, due to the
         Purchaser pursuant to Section lH, hereunder after deducting
         those quantities set forth in Section 10, subsections A and C;
         and

                  D. Possession of all properties and assets described in
         this Agreement.

         7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PURCHASER'S  OBLIGATIONS.  The obligation of
Purchaser  to  consummate  the purchase of the Product as  contemplated  by this
Agreement is subject to and contingent upon Purchaser and Purchaser's agents and
representatives  having the right to review,  inspect, and approve the inventory
of the Product to be  delivered  pursuant to this and all of Seller's  books and
records relating to the Product,  including but not limited to all clinical data
and studies, all educational, advertising and promotional materials and artwork,
and all targeted sales data.

     Seller  shall  cooperate  with  Purchaser  in making all of the  documents,
things and properties  mentioned in this  paragraph  available and accessible to
Purchaser during the inspection  period.  Purchaser agrees not to disseminate or
disclose  any of  Seller's  proprietary  information  to  any  party  except  as
necessary to determine manufacturing capabilities, and then only after obtaining
a nondisclosure  agreement from such party or parties.  If any of the conditions
set forth in this  paragraph are not satisfied,  then  Purchaser  shall have the
right, but not the obligation to terminate

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this Agreement by delivering to Seller written notice of termination  within ten
(10) days from the date of this  Agreement,  and  thereafter  neither Seller nor
Purchaser shall have any  obligations or liability  whatsoever to the other with
respect to this Agreement.

         8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligation of 
Seller to consummate the sale of the Product as contemplated by this Agreement 
is subject to and contingent upon satisfaction of each and all of the following
conditions. Purchaser shall deliver to Seller:

                  A. Two Hundred  Thousand  dollars  ($200,000.00)  cash or cash
         equivalent  as a Down Payment on or about October 31, 1995 as set forth
         in the Escrow  Agreement which is incorporated by reference as if fully
         set forth  herein.  If the  arrangement  contemplated  herein  does not
         close,  Seller  shall  return  the cash Down  Payment  plus  seven (7%)
         percent interest to Purchaser.

                  B. Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the personal guaranty of
         Stephen F. Brandon which shall be incorporated herein by reference as
         if fully set forth herein.

         9. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING DATE

                  A. Pending the Closing Date, Seller shall continue to ship the
         Product and bill and collect all revenues  therefrom in the same manner
         as  previously,  provided,  however,  that Seller shall with regards to
         current  Product bid  contracts or new contract  bids will consult with
         Purchaser to insure that the customers receive reasonable attention and
         a timely bid or quote.  The amounts of Products sold by Seller prior to
         the Closing Date shall be deducted  from those amounts due to Purchaser
         pursuant to Section 10H,  hereunder.  On the Closing Date, Seller shall
         pay to  Purchaser  an amount  equal  Seller's Net Sales made during the
         time from  November 1, 1995 to the Closing Date  subtracting  five (5%)
         percent of the total for administrative  expenses related to the sales.
         Further, Seller agrees not to enter into any commitments, arrangements,
         or other matters that would  materially  affect the manufacture or sale
         of the Product,  including any promotional  incentives that would cause
         wholesalers or other direct accounts to purchase

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         more than normal inventory needs,  without the prior written consent of
         Purchaser.  To accomplish  the  foregoing,  Seller agrees to assure the
         stability  of  enough   Product  to  supply  normal   demand,   without
         back-orders,  until the  Closing  Date,  and to accept  returns  on all
         out-dated Product that was sold or in distribution prior to the Closing
         Date.  As soon as is reasonably  practical  after the execution of this
         Agreement,  Seller and Purchaser will jointly  notify all  distributors
         and  Purchasers  of the  Product  of the  change  in  ownership  of the
         Product,  with  instructions  on ordering and  handling  returns of the
         Product. After the Closing Date, in the event Purchaser, in good faith,
         accepts  returns of Product  delivered  by Seller  prior to the Closing
         Date, Seller agrees to reimburse  Purchaser for such reasonable amounts
         returned Product upon presentment thereof by Purchaser.

                  B. For no more  than  five (5)  total  business  days and upon
         fifteen  (15)  days  notice  to  Seller,   Seller  agrees  at  Seller's
         convenience  to  assist  Purchaser  with  training  Purchaser's  bids &
         contract  manager on utilizing  the order net software and other follow
         up programs necessary to manage chargebacks and rebates from the buyers
         of the Product.  Purchaser  shall pay all  reasonable  travel and other
         expenses associated with any and all of the training set forth above.

                  C. On or about December 27, 1995, Seller shall deliver to
         Purchaser Product in the following amounts:

              CANISTER SIZE             QUANTITY

              5 oz                      4000 units
              9 oz                      2000 units
              16 oz                     4000 units

These  amounts shall  deducted  from those amounts due to Purchaser  pursuant to
Section 1H. hereunder. In the event, any of the conditions precedent are not met
and the  arrangement  contemplated  hereunder  does not close.  Purchaser  shall
promptly return the above referenced quantities to Seller.





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         10. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AFTER CLOSING DATE,

                  A. Seller  agrees to let  Purchaser  ship and invoice  Sellers
         labeled  Product  to the trade  until  Seller's  labeled  inventory  is
         exhausted  and  Purchaser  has  acquired  inventory of the Product with
         Purchaser's  label  affixed  which  shall in no  event  be  later  than
         December 31, 1997.

                  B.  Seller  agrees  not  to   disseminate  to  the  trade  any
         communication  whether  oral or written  which  pertains to the Product
         without first receiving written approval from the Purchaser.

                  C. Seller  agrees to take  reasonable  steps to make sure that
         all of Seller's employees  including outside sales,  marketing,  inside
         order support staff,  manufacturing,  returns,  shipping and receiving,
         are  instructed  to refer to the  Purchaser  any and all  inquiries and
         orders pertaining to the Product.

                  D. As set  forth in  Section  13,  Seller  agrees  to  provide
         manufacturing  and  packaging  for Product  through  December 31, 1996.
         Purchaser  reserves  the  right  to order up to 12  months  of  Product
         inventory  to be  packaged on or before  December  31,  1996.  Further,
         Purchaser agrees to accept delivery during 1997 of this  aforementioned
         inventory in no less than quarterly  shipments  until said inventory is
         exhausted.

         11. ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN  OBLIGATIONS.  Purchaser agrees to assume all
contractual  obligations  and bid commitments of Seller relating to the Product.
Such assumption  shall be as of the Closing Date.  Purchaser shall indemnify and
hold harmless  Seller from and against any such assumed  obligations.  All other
liabilities,   trade  accounts,   security  interests,  liens  and  encumbrances
affecting  the Product  and the assets  which are the  subject  hereof  shall be
satisfied or discharged by Seller prior to the Closing Date.

         12.  PURCHASE OF  ADDITIONAL  INVENTORY.  In addition to the assets set
forth in  paragraph 1,  Purchaser  agrees to purchase  from  Seller,  and Seller
agrees to sell to Purchaser,  additional  quantities of Product through December
31, 1996 to be  delivered  prior to December 31, 1997 at the prices set forth on
Exhibit "A." Said purchases  shall be made based upon a forecasts  subrnitted by
Purchaser  to  Seller  no later  than  July 31,  1996.  Purchaser  shall  not be
obligated  to  purchase  from  Seller  more than  eighty  percent  (80%) of said
forecast and Seller shall not be obligated

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to sell to  Purchaser  more  than one  hundred  twenty  percent  (120%)  of said
forecast. In addition, Seller further agrees to ship to Purchaser such inventory
on a quarterly or as needed basis until such Product supplies are exhausted.

         13.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER. In addition to any other
representations and warranties  contained in other paragraphs of this Agreement,
Seller hereby, makes the following  representations and warranties to Purchaser,
the  fulfillment  and accuracy of which is a condition  precedent to Purchaser's
obligations under this Agreement, and which representations and warranties shall
survive the Closing Date regardless of what investigations  Purchaser shall have
made with respect  thereto  prior to the Closing  Date.  Each of the  individual
representations   and  warranties  (i)   constitutes  a  material  part  of  the
bargained-for  consideration and is being relied upon by Purchaser,  and (ii) is
true in all  respect as ofthe date of this  Agreement,  and shall be true in all
respects on the Closing Date.

                  A.  Seller is the sole  owner of the  Product  and all  rights
         associated  therewith,  with  full  right to sell or  dispose  of it as
         Seller may choose and no other  person or persons  whatsoever  have any
         claim, right, title, interest or lien in, to or on the Product;

                  B. No litigation, actions or proceedings, legal, equitable,
         administrative, through arbitration, or otherwise, are pending or
         threatened which might affect the Product or the consummation of the
         purchase and sale described in this Agreement;

                 C. Seller owes no obligations and has contracted no liabilities
         which affect the Product or which might affect the consurnmation of
         the purchase and sale described in this Agreement;

                 D. Seller is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing
         and currently in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas
         and has full power to own, lease and operate its properties and
         carry on its business as and where it is being conducted;

                 E. The execution and  performance of this  Agreement,  and the
         consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  have been duly
         authorized  by  Seller's  Board of  Directors  and no other or  further
         corporate  action by Seller is necessary,  nor is any  governmental  or
         court approval required,  and this Agreement  constitutes the valid and
         binding obligation of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms;

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                  F. To the best of the knowledge of Seller, there is no fact
         that materially adversely affects or in the future may materially
         adversely affect the Product which has not been set forth in this
         Agreement;

                  G. A true  and  correct  list  of all  patent,  trademark  and
         copyright  registrations  or pending  applications  held by Seller with
         respect to the Product is attached  hereto as Exhibit "B". With respect
         to any  pending  application,  Seller  has no  knowledge  that any such
         pending  application  will not be registered in due course but makes no
         guarantees as to whether or not such pending  applications  will issue;
         and,

                  H. Seller will throughout the term of this Agreement, act in
         accordance with all applicable statutes, laws and regulations.

                  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.  In addition to
any other  representations and warranties  contained in other paragraphs of this
Agreement,  Purchaser hereby makes the following  representations and warranties
to seller,  the  fulfillment  and accuracy of which is a condition  precedent to
Seller's  obligations  under  this  Agreement,  and  which  representations  and
warranties  shall  survive the Closing Date  regardless  of what  investigations
Seller shall have made with respect  thereto prior to the Closing Date.  Each of
the individual representations and warranties (i) constitutes a material part of
the bargained-for  consideration and is being relied upon by Seller, and (ii) is
true in all respect as of the date of this  Agreement,  and shall be true in al]
respects on the Closing Date.

                 A. Purchaser is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing
         and currently in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas
         and has full power to own, lease, and operate its properties and
         carry on its business as and where it is being conducted;

                 B. The execution and  perforrnance of this Agreement,  and the
         consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  have been duly
         authorized  by  Purchaser's  Board of Directors and no other or further
         corporate action by Purchaser is necessary,  nor is any governmental or
         court approval required,  and this Agreement  conslitutes the valid and
         binding  obligation of Purchaser,  enforceable  in accordance  with its
         terms; and,

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                  C. Purchaser will throughout the term of this Agreement act in
         accordance with all applicable local, state, statutes, laws and
         regulations.

         14. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.  In  consideration  of the purchase of the
Product and the payment to Seller of the purchase  price,  Seller,  and Seller's
affiliates,  subsidiaries,  parent, jointly and severally,  agree not to, either
directly or indirectly, as principal,  agent, employee,  consultant,  guarantor,
lender or otherwise,  manufacture or market the Product for so long as Purchaser
is  manufacturing  and/or  marketing  the  Product,  nor shall any such party or
parties  manufacture or market any powdered  cellulose  dosage form of a dietary
fiber food  supplement,  anywhere in the world,  for a period of seven (7) years
from the Closing Date. The parties agree that the restrictions contained in this
paragraph are reasonable in time,  scope and area and are a material part of the
bargained-for  consideration in the purchase and sale of the Product and without
which Purchaser would not have entered into this Agreement.

         15. COSTS AND EXPENSES. All costs and expenses in conducting the
purchase and s ale described in this Agreement in the manner prescribed
by this Agreement shall be home by the parties in the following manner:

                 A. Each party shall pay the fee of the attorney representing it
         in negotiating this Agreement and supervising the purchase and sale
         described herein; and

                 B.  Seller   shall  bear  any  and  all  debts,   liabilities,
         obligations,  charges and expenses ("Liabilities"),  known or which may
         hereinafter  become known,  regardless  of kind or character,  incurred
         with  respect to the Product  prior to the  Closing  Date except to the
         extent such  Liabilities  are caused by the  negligence of  intentional
         misconduct of Purchaser.

         16. INDEMNIFICATION. Seller shall indernnify and hold Purchaser and the
property  of  Purchaser  free  and  harmless  from any and all  claims,  losses,
damages, deficiencies, injuries and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's
fees incurred in defense thereof),  arising from any rnisrepresentation,  breach
of warranty or  non-fulfillment  of any agreement made herein,  or on account of
Seller's  ownership,  manufacture,  distribution or sale of the Product prior to
the Closing Date,  including all Product inventory sold to Purchaser pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement, unless it is deterrnined that the liability is
on account of Purchaser's handling of such Product inventory.

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         Purchaser  shall  indemnify  and hold Seller and the property of Seller
free and  harmless  from  any and all  claims,  losses,  damages,  injuries  and
liabilities  (including reasonable attorney's fees incurred in defense thereof),
arising from or in connection with any misrepresentation,  breach of warranty or
non-fulfillment  of any  agreement  made  herein or on  account  of  Purchaser's
ownership,  manufacture,  distribution  or sale of the Product after the Closing
Date, except Product  inventory sold to Purchaser  pursuant to the provisions of
this  Agreement,  unless it is  determined  that the  liability is on account of
Purchaser's handling of such Product inventory.

         17.  WAIVER OF BREACH.  Failure of any party to protest a breach by any
other  party or  waiver  by any party of a breach  shall  not  operate  as or be
construed  as a waiver of rights or  remedies  as to that breach and a waiver by
any party of a breach shall not operate as or be construed as a waiver of rights
or remedies as to any subsequent breach by any other party.

         18.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  The rights and obligations of the parties
under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the parties.  However, neither party shall assign this
Agreement  without the prior written  consent of the other party,  which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         19. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This instrument  contains the entire  Agreement
between the parties  concerning  the subject  matter  hereof,  and it may not be
amended orally, but only by an agreement in writing, signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, change modification,  extension, or discharge is
sought.

         20. PARAGRAPH HEAVINGS. The paragraph headings contained herein are
for convenience only, and do not purport to accurately surnmarize the
contents of the paragraph they head, and shall not modify, or in any way
affect the provisions of this Agreement or be of any relevance in the
construction thereof.

         21. MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES.

                  A.  Should  either  Party  reasonably  believe  the  other has
         committed a breach of this Agreement, such Party shall notify the other
         in writing  stating  its belief that a breach has been  committed  and
         setting forth its reasons for such belief;


                                       11





                  B. If the Party in receipt  of such  notice  does not  respond
         within  thirty (30) days,  except in the event of an alleged  breach of
         Paragraph 3, which time shall be ten (10) days, of its receipt of same,
         or if it does  respond  and the Party  receiving  such  response is not
         satisfied  with the  response or the  proposed  remedy,  such Party may
         thereafter demand arbitration;

                  C. Should the Parties fail to resolve any controversy or claim
         ansmg out of or relating to the  interpretation  or  application of any
         term or provision set forth herein, or the alleged breach thereof, such
         controversy  or claim shall be resolved by  arbitration  in  accordance
         with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association;

                  D. Judgment upon any award rendered pursuant to Paragraph 23 C
         herein may be entered in any court having jurisdiction of the Party
         against whom the award is rendered;

                  E. Any award rendered pursuant to the terms and conditions set
         forth herein shall be final and binding; and

                  F. Any  arbitration  held pursuant to this Agreement  shall be
         held in Austin, Texas. Each Party shall bear its own expenses and shall
         equally  share the  administrative  expenses of the hearing,  including
         arbitration fees, the expenses of a court reporter, hearing room, etc.

         22. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be subject to, construed in
accordance with, and governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

         23. MUTUAL PREPARATION.  Each party has read the foregoing Agreement, 
fully understands the contents thereof, and is under no duress or pressure of 
any sort to execute it. This Agreement was mutually prepared and shall not be 
construed against any party by reason of his role in such preparation.

         24.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement  shall,  for any reason,  be held to be invalid,  illegal,  or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,  illegality,  or unenforceability
shall not affect any other  provisions  of this  Agreement,  but this  Agreement
shall be construed as if such invalid,  illegal, or unenforceable provisions had
never been  contained  here.  If,  moreover,  any one of more of the  provisions
contained in this  Agreement  shall,  for any reason,  be held to be excessively
broad as to time, duration,

                                       12





geographical scope, activity, or subject, it shall be construed, by limiting and
reducing  it,  so as  to be  enforceable  to  the  extent  compatible  with  the
applicable law as it shall then appear.

         25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple 
counterparts, but all counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the 
same agreement, binding upon all of the parties hereto.

         26. FORCE MAJEURE.

                  A. Except as provided  for  elsewhere  herein with  respect to
         alternative  sources  of  supply,  either  Party to this  Agreement  is
         totally or partially  prevented or delayed in the performance of any of
         its obligations under this Agreement by force majeure and if such Party
         gives  written  notice  thereof  to the other  Party,  within  five (5)
         working days of the  occurrence of such event,  specifying  the matters
         constituting force majeure together with such evidence as it reasonably
         can give and  specifying the period for which it is estimated that such
         prevention  or delay  will  continue,  then the Party so  prevented  or
         delayed shall be excused from the  performance as from the date of such
         notice.  If the  period  of any  actual  non-performance  of  Purchaser
         because of Purchaser's  force majeure  conditions  plus the anticipated
         future period of Purchaser's non performance because of such conditions
         will  exceed an  aggregate  one  hundred  eighty  (180) days within any
         twenty-four  (24) month period.  Seller may terminate this Agreement by
         notice to Purchaser.

                  B. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "force majeure"
         shall be deemed to include any cause  affecting the  performance of the
         obligations set forth in this Agreement arising from or attributable to
         acts,  events,  omissions or accidents beyond the reasonable control of
         the Party who is  obligated  to perform and in  particular  but without
         limiting the  generality  thereof shall include  strikes,  lock-outs or
         other industrial action, civil commotion,  riot, invasion,  war, threat
         of or preparation for war, fire, explosion,  storm, flood,  earthquake,
         subsidence, epidemic or other natural physical disaster,  impossibility
         of the use of railways,  shipping aircraft,  motor transport,  or other
         means of public or private transport.

                  C. As soon as practicable after such notification, the Parties
         shall consult together to decide how, if at all, the effects of the
         force majeure can be mitigated, and what, if any, modification of

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         the terms set forth herein may be required in order to arrive at an
         equitable solution.

         27. NOTICES.  Any notice required under this Agreement shall be in
writing sent by registered or certified mail or by telex or telegrams,
and shall be deemed to be effective on the date of mailing. Unless
otherwise changed by notice in writing from Purchaser to Seller.

Purchaser may serve notice to Seller as follows:

               Dow Hickam Pharrnaceuticals, Inc.
               10410 Corporate Drive
               P. O. Box 2006
               Sugar Land, Texas 77487

               Attn.:      David Satter
               Phone:     (713) 240-1000
               Fax:       (713) 240-7411

Unless  otherwise  changed by notice from Seller to Purchaser,  Seller may serve
notice to Purchaser as follows:

               Niche Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
               200 North Oak Street
               P. O. Box 449
               Roanoke, Texas 76262-0449

               Attn.:      Steve Brandon, President/CEO
               Phone:     (817) 491-2770
               Fax:       (817) 491-3533

         28. FURTHER ASSISTANCE.  Purchaser and Seller agree to duly execute and
deliver,  or cause to be duly executed and delivered,  such further  instruments
and do and cause to be done such  further  acts and things,  including,  without
limitation, the filing of such additional assignments, agreements, documents and
instruments,  that may be necessary or as the other party hereto may at any time
and from time to time reasonably request in connection with this Agreement or to
carry out more  effectively  the  provisions and purpose of, or to better assure
and confirm unto such other Party its rights and remedies under this Agreement.

         29. AUDIT. Purchaser shall keep accurate books and records using

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Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") which shall:

                  A. contain inforrnation reasonably necessary for determination
         of all payments due pursuant to this Agreement;

                  B. be maintained at Purchaser's principal offices; and

                  C. be available for inspection by Seller or Seller's agent 
         upon reasonable written notice to Purchaser.

                  Seller's right to inspect Purchaser's books and records shall
be;

                  A. those books and records containing information reasonably
         necessary to verify the accuracy of Purchaser's payments;

                  B. Purchaser's regular hours of business; and

                  C. reasonable duration

         30. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Secrecy Agreement executed between the Parties
hereto  on May 24,  1993  shall  apply to this  Agreement  as if fully set forth
herein  and is  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.  The  term  of the  Secrecy
Agreement shall be exlended until the later of March 31, 2002 or the termination
of this Agreement.

                  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   the  undersigned  have  executed  this
PURCHASE AGREEMENT as of the date set forth above.

SELLER:                                    PURCHASER:

Dow Hickam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.           Niche Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
a Texas corporation                        a Texas corporation

BY:  /s/ David Satter                      BY:  /s/ Stephen F. Brandon

     Executive Vice President
Its: and Chief Financial Officer           Stephen F. Brandon, President/CEO

DATE:     October 6, 1995                  DATE:    October 9, 1995
      --------------------------                 ------------------

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