Medicis to Present at UBS Warburg Global Specialty Pharmaceuticals Conference

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--May 21, 2001--Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation (NYSE:MRX) today announced it is scheduled to present at the UBS Warburg Global Specialty Pharmaceuticals Conference beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time) on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.

The presentation will be available to the general public through listen-only telephone conference lines. The phone number to listen to the presentation is (888) 515-2781 for domestic callers and (719) 457-2605 for international callers. For people who are unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available several hours following the live presentation. The phone number to listen to the replay is (800) 759-8603 for domestic callers and (402) 220-8537 for international callers. The replay will be available for two business days following the live call.

Medicis is the leading independent pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological conditions. Medicis develops and markets leading products for major segments within dermatology, including acne, fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, head lice and cosmesis (improvement in the texture and appearance of skin). Primary products include the prescription brands DYNACIN(R) (minocycline HCl), TRIAZ(R) (benzoyl peroxide), LUSTRA(R) (hydroquinone), LOPROX(R) (ciclopirox), PLEXION(TM) (sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur), OVIDE(R) (malathion), OMNICEF(R) (cefdinir), LIDEX(R) (fluocinonide), SYNALAR(R) (fluocinolone acetonide), TOPICORT(R) (desoximetasone) and A/T/S(R) (erythromycin); the over-the-counter brand ESOTERICA(R); and BUPHENYL(TM) (sodium phenylbutyrate), a prescription product indicated in the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorder.

Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the Company's dependence on sales of key products, uncertainty of future financial results and fluctuations in operating results, dependence on the Company's acquisition strategy, new product introductions and other risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings. These forward-looking statements represent the judgment of the Company, as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company.

Contacts:
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Scottsdale
Libby Ivy, 602/808-3854
www.medicis.com