<PAGE>
FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
May 5, 1999
ROBERTS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 1-1-432 22-2429994
- ------------------ ----------- --------------
(State or other Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification
incorporation) Number)
Meridian Center II
4 Industrial Way West
Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 732-676-1200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)
<PAGE>
- 2 -
Item 5. Other Events
------------
Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation announced today that Roberts
Pharmaceutical Canada will begin sales operations in Canada for Amatine(R), a
treatment for orthostatic hypotension, which Roberts markets in the U.S. under
the brand name ProAmatine(R).
In late 1998, based on additional clinical data employed in gaining U.S.
Marketing clearance for the product, Amatine's current, broader indication was
allowed by the Canadian regulatory authorities. With today's announcement,
Roberts has ended an exclusive distribution rights agreement with a third party
for Amatine in Canada. Amatine will now be detailed by Roberts' sales people.
This will allow the Company to recognize all of the product's Canadian sales and
related profits.
The Company stated that benefits will increase by selling their own
product with their own salesforce. The Company will begin to realize every
dollar of Amatine sales and the product's gross margin will improve in Canada.
Now that Roberts can take advantage of the product's newer, expanded indication
and the synergies with their existing marketing programs, they can begin to
build momentum behind the penetration of Amatine in the Canadian market.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ROBERTS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
----------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: May 6, 1999 /s/ Anthony A. Rascio
-----------------------------------
Anthony A. Rascio
Vice President
<PAGE>
- 3 -
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements included in Item 5 of this form 8-K are intended to
be, and are hereby identified as, forward looking statements for purposes of the
safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
Registrant cautions readers that forward looking statements, including without
limitation, those relating to the Registrant's future business prospects,
revenues, cost of sales, intangible dispositions and write-offs, continuing
operations and discontinued operations, and liquidity and capital resources, are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the
ability of the Registrant to secure regulatory approval in the United States and
in foreign jurisdictions for the Registrant's developmental pipeline drugs, the
efforts of the Registrant's competitors and the introduction of rival
pharmaceutical products which may prove to be more effective than the
Registrant's products, general market conditions, the availability of capital,
and the uncertainty over the future direction of the healthcare industry, that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the
forward looking statements.
