ICN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
S-3/A, 1998-03-13
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 1998
                                               Registration No. 333 - 10661
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           ----------------------

                     POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                                  FORM S-3

                           REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   Under
                         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                         ICN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                  Delaware                            33-0628076
        (State or Other Jurisdiction               (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation or Organization)           Identification No.)

                             3300 Hyland Avenue
                        Costa Mesa, California 92626
                               (714) 545-0100
  (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

                                 Copies To:
                               David C. Watt
     Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
                         ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                             3300 Hyland Avenue
                        Costa Mesa, California 92626
                               (714) 545-0100
 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                           of Agent For Service)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

          If the only  securities  being  registered on this form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment  plans, please check
the following box. [ ]

          If any of the securities  being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or  continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in connection
with dividend or interest  reinvestment  plans,  check the  following  box.
[X]

          If this Form is filed to register  additional  securities  for an
offering  pursuant  to Rule  462(b)  under the  Securities  Act,  check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration  statement number of
the earlier  effective  registration  statement  for the same  offering.[ ]

          If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c)  under the  Securities  Act,  check the  following  box and list the
Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of the  earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

          If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434, please check the following box: [ ]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Calculation of Registration Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of Each Class                            Proposed Maximum        Proposed Maximum
of Securities to be     Amount to be           Offering Price Per      Aggregate Offering    Amount of Registration
Registered(1)           Registered(2)          Share                   Price                 Fee
- ---------------------   --------------------   ---------------------   -------------------   -----------------------
<S>                     <C>                         <C>                     <C>                      <C>
Common Stock,           5,000,000 shares(3)         (5)                     (5)                      (5)
$.01 par value per
share
Common Stock, $.01      2,500,000 shares(4)         (5)                     (5)                      (5)
par value per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>

(1)  Also includes associated Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.

(2)  Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     an  indeterminate  number of  additional  shares  of Common  Stock are
     registered  hereunder that may be issued by reason of any stock split,
     stock dividend or similar transaction involving the Common Stock.

(3)  Up to 5,000,000  shares of Common Stock were registered on Form S-3 as
     originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August
     22, 1996.

(4)  Pursuant to Rule 416(b) under the Securities Act, the number of shares
     of  Common  Stock  covered  by this  Registration  Statement  includes
     2,500,000  additional shares of Common Stock issuable by reason of the
     three for two stock split in the nature of a dividend payable on March
     16,  1998 to  holders of record of the Common  Stock on  February  17,
     1998.

(5)  A fee of $35,022 was paid upon the initial filing of this Registration
     Statement on August 22, 1996.  Because the additional shares are being
     registered  pursuant  to Rule 416, no  additional  filing fee is being
     paid.
</FN>
</TABLE>

          THIS  POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT  NO. 1 SHALL BECOME  EFFECTIVE IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH SECTION 8(c) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ON SUCH DATE AS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION,  ACTING  PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(c),
MAY DETERMINE.

Subject to Completion, Dated March 13, 1998

PROSPECTUS

                         ICN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                      7,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

          This  Prospectus  relates to 5,000,000  shares (the  "Shares") of
Common Stock, $.01 par value, including associated Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights (the  "Common  Stock"),  of ICN  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation (the "Company" or "ICN"), that may from time to time be sold by
the Company.

          In February  1998,  the  Company  announced a three for two stock
split in the  nature  of a  dividend  payable  on March  16,  1998.  Unless
otherwise indicated,  references to the number of shares of Common Stock in
this  Prospectus  give  effect to the  additional  shares  of Common  Stock
issuable pursuant to the stock split.

          The  Common  Stock  is  traded  on the New  York  Stock  Exchange
("NYSE")  under the symbol "ICN." On March 10, 1998, the closing sale price
per share, as reported by the NYSE, was $64.69.

          The Shares may be sold directly, through agents,  underwriters or
dealers as designated  from time to time, or through a combination  of such
methods.  See "Plan of  Distribution."  Shares  may also be issued to third
parties in connection with business combination transactions. To the extent
a  Prospectus  Supplement  is  required,  if agents of the  Company  or any
dealers or  underwriters  are  involved in the sale of Shares in respect of
which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents, dealers
or  underwriters  and any  applicable  commissions or discounts will be set
forth in or may be calculated  from the Prospectus  Supplement with respect
to such Shares and the net  proceeds  to the  Company  from such sales also
will be set forth in any such applicable Prospectus Supplement.

          AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY  INVOLVES A HIGH
DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS."

          THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR
HAS  THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

              The Date of this Prospectus is March __, 1998.

[RED HERRING]
Information  contained  herein is subject to  completion  or  amendment.  A
Registration Statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor
may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration  Statement
becomes effective. This Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
the  solicitation  of an offer to buy nor shall  there be any sale of these
securities in any  jurisdiction  in which such offer,  solicitation or sale
would  be  unlawful  prior  to  registration  or  qualification  under  the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

                           AVAILABLE INFORMATION

          The Company is subject to the  informational  requirements of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act"),  and in
accordance therewith files reports,  proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission" or "SEC").
Such reports,  proxy statements and other  information filed by the Company
may be inspected and copies  obtained (at  prescribed  rates) at the public
reference  facilities  maintained by the Commission in Washington,  D.C. at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's  Regional  Offices in New York, at 7 World Trade Center,  13th
Floor,  New York, New York 10048, and in Chicago,  at Citicorp Center,  500
West Madison Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661. Copies of such
material can be obtained (at  prescribed  rates),  by writing to the Public
Reference Section of the Commission,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,
D.C.  20549.  Such  material  also is  available  through the  Commission's
Website  (http://www.sec.gov).  Such  material also can be inspected at the
NYSE, 20 Broad Street,  New York, New York 10005, on which the Common Stock
is listed.

          This  Prospectus is part of a Registration  Statement on Form S-3
(together  with all  amendments  and exhibits  thereto,  the  "Registration
Statement")  filed by the Company with the Commission  under the Securities
Act with respect to the Common Stock.  This Prospectus does not contain all
the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the  Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules relating thereto, certain portions
of which  have been  omitted as  permitted  by the  Commission's  rules and
regulations.  For further  information  with respect to the Company and the
Common  Stock  offered  hereby,  reference  is  made  to  the  Registration
Statement and the exhibits  thereto which are on file at the offices of the
Commission  and may be obtained  upon payment of the fee  prescribed by the
Commission as described above.

              INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

          The following reports and documents filed by the Company with the
Commission  pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Act  are  incorporated  into  this
Prospectus by reference as of their respective dates:

          1.   Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended
               December 31, 1996,  dated March 31, 1997, as amended by Form
               10-K/A, dated July 24, 1997.

          2.   Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  three  months  ended
               March 31, 1997, dated May 15, 1997.

          3.   Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  three  months  ended
               June 30, 1997, dated August 14, 1997.

          4.   Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  three  months  ended
               September 30, 1997, dated November 14, 1997.

          5.   Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated  December 18,  1997,  as
               amended by Form 8-K/A, dated February 17, 1998.

          6.   The description of the Common Stock and associated Preferred
               Stock  Purchase   Rights   contained  in  the   Registration
               Statement on Form 8-A, dated November 10, 1994.

          All reports and other documents filed by the Company  pursuant to
Sections  13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the
Common Stock pursuant to this Prospectus (this  "Offering") shall be deemed
to be  incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof
from the date of  filing  of such  reports  and  documents.  Any  statement
contained  herein or in a report or document  incorporated  or deemed to be
incorporated  herein  by  reference  shall  be  deemed  to be  modified  or
superseded  for purposes of this  Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed report or document that is or
is deemed to be  incorporated  by reference  herein  modifies or supersedes
such  statement.  Any  statement  so  modified or  superseded  shall not be
deemed,  except as so modified or superseded,  to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.

          The making of a modifying or superseding  statement  shall not be
deemed  an  admission  for any  purpose  that the  modified  or  superseded
statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation,  an untrue statement
of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required
to be stated or that is necessary  to make a statement  not  misleading  in
light of the circumstances in which it was made.

          THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE,  WITHOUT CHARGE, TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
A COPY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED,  ON THE REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON,  A
COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE  REPORTS  AND  DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED  HEREIN BY
REFERENCE   (OTHER  THAN  EXHIBITS   THERETO,   UNLESS  SUCH  EXHIBITS  ARE
SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  INTO SUCH REPORTS OR  DOCUMENTS).
WRITTEN  REQUESTS  FOR SUCH  COPIES  SHOULD BE  DIRECTED  TO DAVID C. WATT,
EXECUTIVE VICE  PRESIDENT,  GENERAL  COUNSEL AND CORPORATE  SECRETARY,  ICN
PHARMACEUTICALS,  INC., 3300 HYLAND AVENUE,  COSTA MESA,  CALIFORNIA 92626.
TELEPHONE INQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO DAVID C. WATT AT (714) 545-0100.

                                THE COMPANY

          ICN is a  multinational  pharmaceutical  company  that  develops,
manufactures, distributes and sells pharmaceutical, research and diagnostic
products and provides radiation monitoring services.  The Company pursues a
strategy of international expansion which includes (i) the consolidation of
the Company's  leadership  position in Eastern Europe and Russia;  (ii) the
acquisition of high margin products that complement  existing product lines
and can be registered and introduced  into  additional  markets to meet the
specific  needs of those  markets;  and (iii) the creation of a pipeline of
new  products  through  internal  research  and  development,  as  well  as
strategic partnerships and licensing arrangements. References to ICN or the
Company  include  the  subsidiaries  of ICN,  unless the  context  requires
otherwise.

          The Company  distributes  and sells a broad range of prescription
and  over-the-counter  pharmaceutical  and nutritional  products in over 60
countries  worldwide,  primarily in North America,  Latin America,  Western
Europe and Eastern Europe.  These  pharmaceutical  products treat viral and
bacterial  infections,  diseases of the skin,  myasthenia  gravis,  cancer,
cardiovascular  disease,  diabetes  and  psychiatric  disorders.  Among the
Company's products is the broad spectrum  antiviral agent ribavirin,  which
is marketed in the United States, Canada and most of Europe under the trade
name Virazole(R).  Virazole(R) is currently approved for commercial sale in
over  40  countries  for  one or more of a  variety  of  viral  infections,
including respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV"),  herpes simplex,  influenza,
chicken pox,  hepatitis  and human  immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV).  In the
United States, Virazole(R) is approved only for use in hospitalized infants
and young children with severe lower respiratory infections due to RSV.

          The Company believes it has substantial  opportunities to realize
growth from its internally  developed  compounds.  These  compounds are the
result  of  significant   investments  in  its  research  and   development
activities  related to nucleic acids conducted over three decades.  On July
28, 1995, the Company entered into an Exchange License and Supply Agreement
(the  "Agreement")  and a Stock  Purchase  Agreement  with a subsidiary  of
Schering-Plough   Corporation   ("Schering")   to  license  the   Company's
proprietary  drug,  ribavirin,  as a treatment  for chronic  hepatitis C in
combination with Schering's alpha interferon (the  "Combination  Therapy").
The  Agreement  provided the Company an initial  non-refundable  payment by
Schering of  $23,000,000,  and future  royalty  payments to the Company for
marketing of the drug,  including  certain minimum royalty rates.  Schering
will  have  exclusive  marketing  rights  for  ribavirin  for  hepatitis  C
worldwide,  except that the Company  will retain the right to  co-market in
the countries of the European  Economic  Community.  In addition,  Schering
will purchase up to  $42,000,000  in Common Stock upon the  achievement  of
certain regulatory milestones. Under the Agreement, Schering is responsible
for all clinical developments and regulatory  activities worldwide.  During
1996,  clinical  trials  commenced  with the  enrollment of more than 2,000
patients.  In December  1997,  the Company  was  informed by Schering  that
Schering had filed a New Drug Application for the Combination  Therapy with
the U.S. Food and Drug  Administration (the "FDA"). See "Risk Factors -- No
Assurance  of  Successful   Development  and  Commercialization  of  Future
Products."

          The Company  believes it is  positioned to expand its presence in
the  pharmaceutical  markets in Eastern and Central  Europe.  In 1991,  the
Company acquired a 75% interest in Galenika Pharmaceuticals ("Galenika"), a
large  drug  manufacturer  and  distributor  in  Yugoslavia.  Galenika  was
subsequently  renamed ICN Yugoslavia.  This acquisition  added new products
and  significantly  expanded  the  sales  volume of the  Company.  With the
investment in ICN  Yugoslavia,  the Company became one of the first Western
pharmaceutical  companies  to  establish  a direct  investment  in  Eastern
Europe. ICN Yugoslavia  continues to be a significant part of the Company's
operations  although  its  sales and  profitability  have,  at times,  been
substantially  diminished owing  principally to the imposition of sanctions
on Yugoslavia by the United Nations.  The United Nations  Security  Council
adopted  resolutions,  however,  that in December  1995,  suspended and, in
October  1996,  lifted  economic  sanctions  which had been  imposed on the
Federal  Republic  of  Yugoslavia  since May of 1992.  The  suspension  and
lifting of economic  sanctions  enabled ICN Yugoslavia to resume  exporting
certain of its product  lines to Russia,  other Eastern  European  Markets,
Africa,  the  Middle  East and the Far East.  See "Risk  Factors -- Risk of
Operation in Yugoslavia."

          In 1995, the Company acquired a 75% interest in ICN Oktyabr,  one
of the largest  pharmaceutical  companies  in the Russian  Federation.  The
Company  purchased an  additional  15%  interest in ICN  Oktyabr,  in 1996,
raising its ownership to 90%. Also in 1996 and 1997, the Company acquired a
67% interest in Alkaloida  Chemical Co.  ("Alkaloida"),  one of the largest
pharmaceutical  companies  in terms of sales in Hungary  and a major  world
producer of morphine and related  compounds.  In 1996 and 1997, the Company
greatly  expanded  its Russian  presence  through the  acquisition  of four
additional  pharmaceutical  companies:   Leksredstva,   located  in  Kursk;
Polypharm, located in Chelyabinsk; Marbiopharm, located in Yoshkar-Ola; and
AO Tomsky Chemical and  Pharmaceutical  Plant ("Tomsk"),  located in Tomsk.
The combined sales of these five companies  establish the Company among the
largest  pharmaceutical  companies in Russia today and a pioneer and leader
in the privatization movement. In October 1997, the Company acquired an 80%
interest in Polfa Rzeszow S.A., a pharmaceutical company located in Poland.
In February 1998, the Company  announced that it would invest  $300,000,000
in  Russia  over  the  next  five  years,  including  $47,000,000  for  the
construction  of  a  new  pharmaceutical  plant  as  part  of  its  ongoing
modernization   of  ICN  Oktyabr.   The  Company  is  currently   exploring
acquisition  opportunities  in  Russia  and the Czech  Republic.  See "Risk
Factors -- Risk of Operations in Eastern Europe, Russia and China."

          In August 1997, ICN Puerto Rico, Inc. (the "Subsidiary") acquired
the worldwide rights (except India) to seven products:  Alloferin, Ancotil,
Glutril, Limbitrol,  Mestinon,  Prostigmin and Protamin from F. Hoffmann-La
Roche Ltd ("Roche").  The Subsidiary also obtained worldwide rights outside
of the United States and India to Efudix and Librium.  The Company received
the product rights in exchange for $90,000,000  payable in a combination of
1,600,000  shares of the Company's  Common Stock valued at $40,000,000  and
2,000 shares of a new issue of the Company's  convertible  preferred  stock
valued at $50,000,000.  Each share of the Company's  convertible  preferred
stock is  convertible  into 1,000  shares of Common  Stock at a  conversion
price  equivalent to $25 per share.  The Company  guaranteed  Roche a price
initially at $25.75 per share of Common  Stock,  increasing at a rate of 6%
per annum for three years,  with the Company being entitled to any proceeds
realized by Roche from the sale of these shares during the guarantee period
in  excess  of the  guaranteed  price.  The  preceding  share and per share
amounts do not give  effect to the three for two stock  split in the nature
of a  dividend  payable  on  March  16,  1998.  Also in  August  1997,  the
Subsidiary  purchased for $55,000,000 in cash and the assumption of certain
debt,  Roche's  Humacao,  Puerto Rico  manufacturing  plant (the  "Humacao,
Puerto Rico Plant"),  which meets current U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Good  Manufacturing  Practices  for  various  products,  including:  Aleve,
Naprosyn, EC Naprosyn, Anaprox and Cytovene.  Simultaneously,  Roche leased
the Humacao, Puerto Rico Plant from the Company for two years at $8,000,000
per annum. On December 5, 1997, the Company  acquired the worldwide  rights
to Levo-Dromoran  and Tensilon from  subsidiaries of Roche, and pursuant to
an option  granted by Roche to the  Company in  connection  with the August
1997  transaction,  the  Company  obtained  the U.S.  rights to Efudix  and
Librium for a total aggregate  purchase price of approximately  $89,000,000
(the purchase price for which was paid utilizing the price  appreciation in
the Common Stock issued to Roche in August 1997).

          On February  24,  1998,  the  Company  acquired  from  SmithKline
Beecham  plc  ("SKB")  the  Asian,  Australian  and  African  rights  to 39
prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, including Actal,
Breacol, Coracten, Eskornade, Fefol, Gyno-Pevaryl,  Maxolan, Nyal, Pevaryl,
Ulcerin and Vylcim. The Company received the product rights in exchange for
$45,500,000  payable in a combination  of $22,500,000 in cash and preferred
stock  convertible into  approximately  410,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"SKB  Shares")  based on a price of $56.05 per share.  Except under certain
circumstances,  SKB has agreed not to sell the SKB Shares until November 4,
1999.  The Company has agreed to pay SKB an additional  amount in cash (or,
under certain circumstances, shares of Common Stock) to the extent proceeds
received by SKB from the sale of the SKB Shares  during a specified  period
from and after November 4, 1999 and the then market value of the unsold SKB
Shares  do not  provide  SKB with an  average  value of  $69.00  per  share
(including  any  dividend  paid on the SKB Shares).  Alternatively,  SKB is
required to pay the Company an amount,  in cash or shares of Common  Stock,
to the extent  that such  proceeds  and market  value  provide  SKB with an
average  per  share  value in excess of  $69.00  per share  (including  any
dividend paid on the SKB Shares). The preceding share and per share amounts
do not give  effect to the three  for two  stock  split in the  nature of a
dividend payable on March 16, 1998.

          In addition to its  pharmaceutical  operations,  the Company also
develops, manufacturers and sells, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ICN
Biomedicals,  Inc., a broad range of research and  diagnostic  products and
radiation   monitoring   services.   The  Company  markets  these  products
internationally to major scientific, academic, health care and governmental
institutions through catalog and direct mail marketing programs.

          The  principal  executive  offices of the  Company are located at
3300 Hyland Avenue,  Costa Mesa,  California 92626. The telephone number at
such address is (714) 545-0100.

                                RISK FACTORS

          An investment in the Common Stock  involves a high degree of risk
and may not be  appropriate  for  investors who cannot afford to lose their
entire  investment.  Prospective  purchasers  of the Common Stock should be
fully aware of the risk factors set forth herein.  This Prospectus contains
or  incorporates  statements  that  constitute  forward-looking  statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Those statements appear in a number of places in this Prospectus and in the
documents  incorporated by reference and may include statements  regarding,
among other  matters,  the Company's  growth  opportunities,  the Company's
acquisition   strategy,   regulatory  matters  pertaining  to  governmental
approval of the  marketing  or  manufacturing  of certain of the  Company's
products and other factors affecting the Company's  financial  condition or
results of  operations.  Prospective  investors are cautioned that any such
forward-looking  statements  are not guarantees of future  performance  and
involve  risks,  uncertainties  and other  factors  which may cause  actual
results,  performance or achievements to differ  materially from the future
results,   performance  or  achievements   expressed  or  implied  in  such
forward-looking  known and unknown  statements.  Such  factors  include the
various risk factors described below.

          DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OPERATIONS

          Approximately 75% and 80% of the Company's net sales for 1995 and
1996,  respectively,  and  approximately  78% and 80% of the  Company's net
sales for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,  respectively,
were  generated  from  operations  outside the United  States.  The Company
operates directly and through distributors in North America,  Latin America
(principally  Mexico),  Western  Europe  and  Eastern  Europe  and  through
distributors  elsewhere  in the world.  Foreign  operations  are subject to
certain risks inherent in conducting  business abroad,  including  possible
nationalization or expropriation,  price and exchange controls, limitations
on foreign participation in local enterprises,  health-care  regulation and
other restrictive  governmental actions.  Changes in the relative values of
currencies  take  place  from time to time and may  materially  affect  the
Company's  results of  operations.  Their effects on the  Company's  future
operations  are not  predictable.  The Company  does not  currently  have a
hedging  program to protect  against  foreign  currency  exposure  and,  in
certain  of the  countries  in which the  Company  operates,  no  effective
hedging program is available.

          RISK OF OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA

          ICN  Yugoslavia  represents  a  material  part  of the  Company's
business. Approximately 46% and 44% of the Company's net sales for 1995 and
1996, respectively,  were from ICN Yugoslavia.  In addition,  approximately
50%  and  62%  of  the  Company's  operating  income  for  1995  and  1996,
respectively,  and approximately 45% and 32% of the Company's net sales for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively,  were from
ICN  Yugoslavia.  ICN  Yugoslavia,  a 75% owned  subsidiary,  operates in a
business environment that is subject to significant economic volatility and
political  instability.  The  economic  conditions  in  Yugoslavia  include
continuing liquidity problems,  unemployment, a weakened banking system and
a high trade  deficit.  Between May 1992 and December  1995, ICN Yugoslavia
operated under United Nations'  sanctions that severely limited the ability
to import raw materials  and  prohibited  all exports.  While the sanctions
have  been  suspended,  certain  risks,  such as  hyperinflation,  currency
devaluations, wage and price controls and potential government action could
continue  to  have  material  adverse  impact  on the  Company's  financial
position and results of operations.

          During 1992 and 1993,  the rate of  inflation in  Yugoslavia  was
over one billion percent per year.  Inflation was  dramatically  reduced in
January 1994 when the government  enacted a stabilization  program designed
to strengthen its currency.  This program reduced the annualized  inflation
rate to five percent by the end of 1994, increased the availability of hard
currency,  stabilized  the  exchange  rate of the  dinar and  improved  the
overall economy.  In 1995, the effectiveness of the  stabilization  program
began to wane,  resulting in a decline in the availability of hard currency
and an  acceleration  of inflation to an annual rate of 90% by year end. In
November  1995, the dinar was devalued from a rate of 1.4 dinars per U.S.$1
to a rate of 4.7 dinars per U.S.$1.

          During 1996, inflation increased further to an annual rate of 95%
and the availability of hard and local currency  continued to decline.  The
lifting  of   sanctions   by  the  United   Nations   eventually   provided
opportunities to export outside of Yugoslavia.  A policy of strict monetary
control in  Yugoslavia  has kept  inflation  at a current  annual  level of
approximately  40%.  However,   Yugoslavia  has  not  fully  recovered  the
international  status it held before  sanctions were imposed and management
believes that economic  reform and  privatization  is necessary  before the
economy will improve  dramatically.  The  Yugoslavian  government  is still
negotiating  to regain  membership in the  International  Monetary Fund and
World  Bank.   Management   believes   that  the  1997   Presidential   and
parliamentary  elections may result in political  change that would lead to
economic reform,  although such elections also have the potential to create
additional political instability and currency devaluations.

          In an  effort  by the  National  Bank of  Yugoslavia  to  control
inflation through tight monetary  controls,  Yugoslavia is now experiencing
severe liquidity  problems.  This has resulted in longer collection periods
on ICN Yugoslavia's  receivables.  Most of ICN  Yugoslavia's  customers are
slow to pay due to delays of health care payments by the  government.  This
has also resulted in ICN Yugoslavia being unable to make timely payments on
its payables.  ICN Yugoslavia is attempting to reduce its  receivables  and
improve its cash flow by restricting future sales;  however,  these actions
may result in sales and  earnings in 1997 that are lower than such  amounts
in 1996.  See "Recent Developments."

          ICN  Yugoslavia  began 1997 with a net monetary asset exposure of
$134,000,000 which was subject to foreign exchange loss if a devaluation of
the dinar was to occur.  During the first nine months of 1997,  the Company
reduced its  monetary  exposure by  converting  dinar-denominated  accounts
receivable  into notes  receivable  payable in dinars,  but fixed in dollar
amounts.  The first  conversion was made early in the first quarter of 1997
with $50,000,000 of accounts receivable converted into a one year note with
interest at LIBOR plus one percent. A second conversion was arranged at the
end of the first quarter of 1997 through an agreement with the  Yugoslavian
government to purchase $50,000,000 of drugs. The sales under this agreement
were converted into a note  receivable  bearing  interest at LIBOR plus one
percent on the outstanding  balance and has special payment guarantees with
the payment fixed in dollar amounts.  The second  agreement also allows the
Company to offset  payroll tax  obligations  against  outstanding  accounts
receivable  balances.  Subsequent  to these  two  agreements,  the  Company
negotiated an arrangement with the government of Yugoslavia under which ICN
Yugoslavia  would  commit  to  continue  to  provide  products,  in  dollar
denominated  sales, in an amount up to $50,000,000 per calendar quarter for
one year,  and the  government  would pay a minimum of $9,500,000 per month
towards  outstanding  receivables.  However,  at no  point  in time can the
amount  due to ICN  Yugoslavia  from the  government  exceed  $200,000,000,
including both accounts and notes  receivable.  Receivables that arise from
this  agreement  are interest  bearing with interest at the LIBOR rate plus
one percent.  As of September 30, 1997,  ICN  Yugoslavia had a net monetary
asset  position of $48,000,000  which would be subject to foreign  exchange
loss if a devaluation of the dinar was to occur.

          The Company was able to reduce its  overall  accounts  receivable
balance  from  the  beginning  of the  year  through  collections  and  the
conversion of $130,000,000 of accounts  receivable into notes receivable as
discussed above. As of September 30, 1997, the accounts  receivable balance
was $74,471,000.  The willingness of the Yugoslavian  government to provide
the Company protection  against  devaluation on its receivables in exchange
for  longer  payment  terms is a  reflection  of the  strict  adherence  to
government  policy on controlling  inflation by limiting the amount of hard
currency in  circulation.  This policy was initially  established  with the
start of the stabilization program in 1994.

          With 80% of ICN  Yugoslavia  sales  arising  from  government  or
government-sponsored  entities,  ICN Yugoslavia is financially dependent on
the Yugoslavian government. Additionally, ICN Yugoslavia is also subject to
credit  risk  in that  60% of its  December  31,  1996,  domestic  accounts
receivables  and  31%  of its  year-to-date  sales  are  with  three  major
customers.

          ICN Yugoslavia is subject to price  controls in  Yugoslavia.  The
size and frequency of government-approved price increases are influenced by
local  inflation,  devaluations,  cost of imported raw materials and demand
for ICN Yugoslavia products. During 1995, 1996 and the first nine months of
1997, ICN Yugoslavia received fewer price increases than in the past due to
lower relative levels of inflation.  As inflation  increases,  the size and
frequency of price  increases  are expected to  increase.  Price  increases
obtained by ICN Yugoslavia are based on economic  events  preceding such an
increase and not on  expectations of ongoing  inflation.  A lag in approved
price increases could reduce the gross margins that ICN Yugoslavia receives
on its  products.  Although the Company  expects that ICN  Yugoslavia  will
limit sales of products that have poor margins  until an  acceptable  price
increase is received,  the impact of an inability to obtain  adequate price
increases  in the future  could have an adverse  impact on the Company as a
result of declining gross profit margins or declining sales in an effort to
maintain existing gross margin levels.

          RISK OF OPERATIONS IN RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPE AND CHINA

          The Company has invested a total of approximately $28,404,000 for
majority interests in five  pharmaceutical  companies located in Russia. In
addition, the Company is planning to invest $300,000,000 in Russia over the
next  five  years,  including  $47,000,000  for the  construction  of a new
pharmaceutical  plant in connection with its  modernization of ICN Oktyabr.
The Company also has invested approximately $23,600,000 in its 67% interest
in ICN  Hungary.  In  October  1997,  the  Company  invested  approximately
$33,700,000,  and 31,700  shares of Common Stock valued at $1,709,000 to be
issued  to  certain  employees  (see  "Selling  Stockholders"),  in an  80%
interest in Rzeszow,  a pharmaceutical  company located in Poland,  and has
committed to invest an additional  $20,000,000 in 1998 and 1999, which will
give the Company a 90% interest in Rzeszow.  In September 1996, the Company
committed  to invest an aggregate of  $24,000,000  in a joint  venture with
Jiangsu  Provincial Wuxi  Pharmaceutical  Corporation  ("Wuxi"),  a Chinese
state-owned pharmaceutical corporation.  Although the Company believes that
investment in Russia,  Eastern  Europe,  China and other  emerging  markets
offers  access  to  growing  world  markets,  the  economic  and  political
conditions in such countries are  uncertain.  See "-- Dependence on Foreign
Operations."

          NO ASSURANCE OF SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION 
          OF FUTURE PRODUCTS

          The Company's future growth will depend,  in large part, upon its
ability  to  develop  or obtain  and  commercialize  new  products  and new
formulations of or indications for current products. The Company is engaged
in an active research and development  program involving compounds owned by
the Company or licensed  from others  which the Company may, in the future,
desire to develop commercially.  There can be no assurance that the Company
will be  able  to  develop  or  acquire  new  products,  obtain  regulatory
approvals to use such products for proposed or new clinical  indications in
a timely manner,  manufacture its potential  products in commercial volumes
or gain market acceptance for such products.  In addition,  the Company may
require  financing over the next several years to fund costs of development
and  acquisitions  of new  products  and, if  Virazole(R)  is approved  for
treatment of chronic  hepatitis C in  Combination  Therapy (for which there
can be no assurance), to expand the production and marketing of Virazole(R)
in the  countries  of the  European  Union,  where the Company has retained
co-marketing  rights  under the License  Agreement.  It may be desirable or
necessary for the Company to enter into licensing  arrangements  with other
pharmaceutical companies in order to market effectively any new products or
new  indications for existing  products such as the License  Agreement with
Schering  for the  marketing of  Virazole(R)  for  Combination  Therapy (if
approved). There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
raising  such   additional   capital  or  entering   into  such   marketing
arrangements,  if required,  or that such  capital will be raised,  or such
marketing arrangements will be, on terms favorable to the Company.

          LIMITED PATENT PROTECTION

          The Company may be  dependent on the  protection  afforded by its
patents  relating to  Virazole(R)  and no assurance  can be given as to the
breadth  or degree of  protection  which  these  patents  will  afford  the
Company.  The Company has patent  rights in the United  States  expiring in
1999  relating to the use of  Virazole(R)  to treat  specified  human viral
diseases.  If future  development of Virazole(R) in Combination  Therapy is
successful  and  approval is granted in the United  States,  an  additional
award of exclusivity  will be granted of up to three years from the date of
approval  (Waxman-Hatch Act); however,  there can be no assurance that such
development  will be  successful  or that such  approval  will be obtained.
While the Company has patents in certain foreign countries covering the use
of  Virazole(R)  in the treatment of certain  diseases,  which coverage and
expiration  varies and which patents  expire at various times through 2006,
the Company has no, or limited,  patent rights with respect to  Virazole(R)
and/or its use in certain foreign countries where Virazole(R) is currently,
or in the future may be, approved for commercial  sale,  including  France,
Germany and Great Britain. However, the Company and Schering intend to file
applications  for approval of  Combination  Therapy  through a  centralized
procedure in the European Union (which includes  France,  Germany and Great
Britain).  If such approval is granted,  the Company and Schering  would be
afforded either six or ten years (depending upon the particular country) of
protection for the Combination Therapy against competition. There can be no
assurance  that the loss of the  Company's  patent  rights with  respect to
Virazole(R)  upon  expiration of the Company's  patent rights in the United
States, Europe and elsewhere will not result in competition from other drug
manufacturers or will not otherwise have a significant  adverse effect upon
the business and operations of the Company.

          As a general policy,  the Company expects to seek patents,  where
available, on inventions concerning novel drugs,  techniques,  processes or
other  products  which it may  develop or acquire in the  future.  However,
there can be no assurance that any patents applied for will be granted,  or
that, if granted,  they will have commercial  value or as to the breadth or
the degree of protection  which these patents,  if issued,  will afford the
Company.  The  Company  intends  to rely  substantially  on its  unpatented
proprietary  know-how,  but there can be no assurance  that others will not
develop  substantially  equivalent  proprietary  information  or  otherwise
obtain  access  to  the  Company's  know-how.  Patents  for  pharmaceutical
compounds  are not  available  in certain  countries  in which the  Company
markets its products.

          Marketing  approvals  in  certain  foreign  countries  provide an
additional  level of  protection  for  products  approved  for sale in such
countries.

          UNCERTAIN IMPACT OF ACQUISITION PLANS

          The Company  intends  aggressively  to continue  its  strategy of
targeted  expansion  through the  acquisition of compatible  businesses and
product lines and the formation of strategic alliances,  joint ventures and
other  business  combinations.  Should the Company  complete  any  material
acquisition, the Company's success or failure in integrating the operations
of the acquired  company may have a material impact on the future growth or
success of the Company.  Since some or all of these potential  acquisitions
may be affected  with the  issuance  of Common  Stock by the Company to the
sellers of the  businesses  being acquired or financed with the issuance of
Common Stock or securities  convertible  into Common Stock, the interest of
existing  stockholders in the Company may be diluted (which dilution may be
material depending on the size and the number of acquisitions consummated).
Subject to sufficient  authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock being
available,  no stockholder approval of any acquisition transaction would be
required  unless the number of shares of Common Stock issued by the Company
in connection with the transaction (or series of related transactions) were
to exceed 20% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock.

          POTENTIAL LITIGATION EXPOSURE

          Pursuant  to  an  Order  Directing   Private   Investigation  and
Designating  Officers  to Take  Testimony,  entitled  In the  Matter of ICN
Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., (P-177) (the "Order"),  a private  investigation is
being  conducted by the SEC with respect to certain  matters  pertaining to
the status and  disposition  of the  Hepatitis  C NDA.  As set forth in the
Order, the investigation concerns whether, during the period from June 1994
through February 1995, the Company,  persons or entities associated with it
and others,  in the offer and sale or in  connection  with the purchase and
sale of ICN securities,  engaged in possible violations of Section 17(a) of
the  Securities  Act and Section  10(b) of the  Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5
thereunder,  by having possibly: (i) made false or misleading statements or
omitted  material  facts with respect to the status and  disposition of the
Hepatitis C NDA; (ii) purchased or sold Common Stock while in possession of
material,  non-public  information concerning the status and disposition of
the Hepatitis C NDA; or (iii)  conveyed  material,  non-public  information
concerning  the status and  disposition  of the  Hepatitis  C NDA, to other
persons  who may have  purchased  or sold  Common  Stock.  The  Company has
cooperated with the Commission in its  investigation.  On January 13, 1998,
ICN  received a letter  from the SEC's  Philadelphia  District  Office (the
"District  Office") stating the District Office's intention to recommend to
the Commission  that it authorize the institution of a civil action against
the Company and Milan Panic,  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company.  As set  forth  in the  letter,  the  District  Office  seeks  the
authority  to  commence a civil  action to enjoin the  Company  from future
violations of Section  10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5  thereunder
and to impose a civil  penalty of up to  $500,000  on ICN. In regard to Mr.
Panic,  the District Office seeks the authority to begin a civil action (i)
to  enjoin  Mr.  Panic  from  future  violations  of  Section  17(a) of the
Securities  Act,   Section  10(b)  of  the  Exchange  Act  and  Rule  10b-5
thereunder;  (ii) for  disgorgement of  approximately  $390,000;  (iii) for
prejudgment  interest;  (iv) for a civil penalty pursuant to Section 21A of
the Exchange Act that cannot  exceed three times any amount  disgorged  and
(v) for an officer and  director bar pursuant to Section 21 of the Exchange
Act. On January 30, 1998, the Company filed submissions with the Commission
urging that it reject the District Office's request.

          The Company has received Subpoenas (the "Subpoenas") from a Grand
Jury in the United States  District Court,  Central  District of California
requesting  the  production of documents  covering a broad range of matters
over various time periods.  In March 1998, the Company was advised that the
office of the United States Attorney for the Central District of California
is considering  the Company,  Mr. Panic and a former officer of the Company
targets of the  investigation.  The Company was also  advised  that certain
current and former  officers of the Company are considered  subjects of the
investigation. The Company has and continues to cooperate in the Grand Jury
Investigation. A number of current and former employees of the Company have
been interviewed by the government in connection with the investigation.

          The  ultimate  outcome of the SEC and Grand  Jury  investigations
cannot be  predicted  and any  unfavorable  outcome  could  have a material
adverse effect on the Company.

          DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

          The Company believes that its continued  success will depend to a
significant  extent  upon the  efforts  and  abilities  of its  management,
including Milan Panic, its Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer.  The loss
of the services of its management  could have a material  adverse effect on
the  Company.   The  Company  cannot  predict  what  effect,  if  any,  the
Commission's  investigation  of the Company,  as described under "Potential
Litigation  Exposure,"  the Subpoena and the  possibility of a civil action
against  the  Company  and/or Mr.  Panic,  as  described  under  "Potential
Litigation Exposure," may have on Mr. Panic's ability to continue to devote
services on a full time basis to the Company. See " -- Potential Litigation
Exposure".  In  addition,  Mr.  Panic,  who  served  as Prime  Minister  of
Yugoslavia  from July 1992 to March  1993,  remains  active in  Yugoslavian
politics and may again serve in a governmental office in the future.

          POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY EXPOSURE AND LACK OF INSURANCE

          The  Company  could be exposed to  possible  claims for  personal
injury  resulting from allegedly  defective  products.  Even if a drug were
approved for commercial use by an appropriate  governmental  agency,  there
can be no assurance that users will not claim that effects other than those
intended  may result from the  Company's  products.  The Company  generally
self-insures  against potential product liability  exposure with respect to
its marketed  products,  including  Virazole(R).  While to date no material
adverse  claim for  personal  injury  resulting  from  allegedly  defective
products,  including Virazole(R),  has been successfully maintained against
the Company or any of its predecessors, a substantial claim, if successful,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

          GOVERNMENT REGULATION

          FDA approval  must be obtained in the United  States and approval
must be  obtained  from  comparable  agencies in other  countries  prior to
marketing or manufacturing new pharmaceutical products for use by humans in
such respective jurisdictions.  Obtaining FDA approval for new products and
manufacturing  processes  can  take a  number  of years  and  involves  the
expenditure  of  substantial  resources.   Numerous  requirements  must  be
satisfied, including preliminary testing programs on animals and subsequent
clinical  testing  programs  on humans,  to  establish  product  safety and
efficacy.  No assurance can be given that  authorization  of the commercial
sale of any new drugs or compounds by the Company for any application or of
existing  drugs or compounds  for new  applications  will be secured in the
United  States or any other  country,  or that,  if such  authorization  is
secured, those drugs or compounds will be commercially successful.

          The FDA in the United  States and other  regulatory  agencies  in
other countries also periodically inspect manufacturing facilities. Failure
to comply with  applicable  regulatory  requirements  can result in,  among
other  things,  sanctions,  fines,  delays  or  suspensions  of  approvals,
seizures  or recalls  of  products,  operating  restrictions  and  criminal
prosecutions.  Furthermore,  changes in existing regulations or adoption of
new  regulations  could prevent or delay the Company from obtaining  future
regulatory approvals.

          The  Company  is  subject to price  control  restrictions  on its
pharmaceutical  products in the majority of countries in which it operates.
To date, the Company has been affected by pricing  adjustments in Spain and
by the lag in allowed price increases in Yugoslavia and Mexico,  which have
created lower sales in U.S. dollars and reductions in gross profit.  Future
sales and gross  profit  could be  materially  affected  if the  Company is
unable to obtain price increases commensurate with the levels of inflation.

          COMPETITION

          The Company  operates in a highly  competitive  environment.  The
Company's  competitors,  many of whom have  substantially  greater  capital
resources and marketing  capabilities  and larger  research and development
staffs and facilities than the Company,  are actively  engaged in marketing
products  similar to those of the Company and in  developing  new  products
similar to those  proposed to be developed and sold by the Company.  Others
may  succeed in  developing  products  that are more  effective  than those
marketed or proposed  for  development  by the  Company.  Progress by other
researchers  in areas  similar to those  being  explored by the Company may
result in further competitive  challenges.  In early 1996, MedImmune,  Inc.
began marketing in the United States  RespiGam(R),  a prophylactic drug for
the  treatment  of RSV.  The  Company  is aware of  several  other  ongoing
research  and  development  programs  which are  attempting  to develop new
prophylactic  and therapeutic  products for treatment of RSV.  Although the
Company will follow publicly  disclosed  developments in this field, on the
basis of  currently  available  data,  it is  unable  to  evaluate  whether
RespiGam(R) or the other technology being developed in these programs poses
a threat to the Company's  current market  position in the treatment of RSV
or its revenue streams. In addition,  a number of companies and researchers
are engaged in  developmental  efforts for the  treatment  of  Hepatitis C,
including through the use of protease inhibitors. The Company may also face
increased competition from manufacturers of generic pharmaceutical products
when  certain of the patents  covering  certain of its  currently  marketed
products expire.

          INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY

          As of September 30, 1997,  after giving effect to the  redemption
of certain  indebtedness  of the  Company  in  November  1997 (see  "Recent
Developments")  and  repayment  of  indebtedness  related to the  Company's
acquisition  of a  plant  in  Puerto  Rico,  the  Company  had  outstanding
long-term  debt  of  [$342,000,000].  The  indenture  for  certain  of  the
Company's debt contains,  and other debt  instruments of the Company may in
the future contain,  a number of significant  covenants  that,  among other
things,  restrict  the ability of the  Company to dispose of assets,  incur
additional  indebtedness,  repay  other  indebtedness  or amend  other debt
instruments,  pay dividends, create liens on assets, enter into investments
or  acquisitions,  engage  in  mergers  or  consolidations,   make  capital
expenditures  or engage  in  certain  transactions  with  subsidiaries  and
affiliates,  and  otherwise  restrict  certain  corporate  activities.  The
Company's strategy  contemplates  continued strategic  acquisitions,  and a
portion of the cost of such acquisitions may be financed through additional
indebtedness.  There can be no assurance that financing will continue to be
available on terms  acceptable  to the Company or at all. In the absence of
such financing,  the Company's  ability to respond to changing business and
economic   conditions,   to  fund   scheduled   investments   and   capital
expenditures,  to make future  acquisitions or  developments  and to absorb
adverse operating results may be adversely affected.

                            RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

          On March 5, 1998,  the  Company  announced  that,  for the twelve
months ended  December  31, 1997,  sales  increased  to  $752,000,000  from
$614,000,000 in 1996, net income increased to $114,000,000 from $87,000,000
in 1996,  basic  earnings per share  increased to $1.93 from $1.75 in 1996,
and diluted  earnings per share  increased to $1.69 from $1.51 in 1996. The
Company  further  announced  that,  for the three months ended December 31,
1997, sales increased to $256,000,000 from $174,000,000 for the same period
in 1996, net income  increased to $36,000,000 from $29,000,000 for the same
period in 1996,  basic  earnings  per share  increased  to 55 cents from 54
cents for the same period in 1996, and diluted earnings per share increased
to 49  cents  from 46 cents  for the  same  period  in  1996.  The  Company
previously   disclosed  that  it  would  limit  sales  to  the  Yugoslavian
government.  As a result,  in Yugoslavia,  sales went from  $267,000,000 in
1996 to $225,000,000 in 1997, a decline of 16%.

          On February  24,  1998,  the  Company  acquired  from  SmithKline
Beecham  plc  ("SKB")  the  Asian,  Australian  and  African  rights  to 39
prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, including Actal,
Breacol, Coracten, Eskornade, Fefol, Gyno-Pevaryl,  Maxolan, Nyal, Pevaryl,
Ulcerin and Vylcim. The Company received the product rights in exchange for
$45,500,000  payable in a combination  of $22,500,000 in cash and preferred
stock  convertible into  approximately  410,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"SKB  Shares")  based on a price of $56.05 per share.  Except under certain
circumstances,  SKB has agreed not to sell the SKB Shares until November 4,
1999.  The Company has agreed to pay SKB an additional  amount in cash (or,
under certain circumstances, shares of Common Stock) to the extent proceeds
received by SKB from the sale of the SKB Shares  during a specified  period
from and after November 4, 1999 and the then market value of the unsold SKB
Shares  do not  provide  SKB with an  average  value of  $69.00  per  share
(including  any  dividend  paid on the SKB Shares).  Alternatively,  SKB is
required to pay the Company an amount,  in cash or shares of Common  Stock,
to the extent  that such  proceeds  and market  value  provide  SKB with an
average  per  share  value in excess of  $69.00  per share  (including  any
dividend paid on the SKB Shares). The preceding share and per share amounts
do not give  effect to the three  for two  stock  split in the  nature of a
dividend payable on March 16, 1998.

          On February 24, 1998,  the United States  District  Court for the
Central  District of California  gave final approval to the settlement of a
consolidated  class action  lawsuit  alleging  that the Company and certain
officers of the Company had made  misrepresentations  of material facts and
omitted to state material  facts in 1994 and 1995  concerning the Company's
NDA  for  the use of  Virazole(R)  for  monotherapy  treatment  of  chronic
hepatitis C (the "Hepatitis C NDA"), in violation of the federal securities
laws.  Pursuant  to  the  settlement,   the  Company  has  paid  the  class
$15,000,000.  At the hearing related to the settlement,  no objections were
made to the  settlement.  The time for any appeal  from the  approval  will
expire on or about March 26, 1998.

          On February 18, 1998, the Company  declared a three for two split
of the Common Stock in the nature of a dividend  payable on March 16, 1998.
The record date of the stock split was February 17, 1998.

          In February 1998, the Company committed to investing $300,000,000
in Russia over the next five years,  $47,000,000  of which will be used for
the  construction  of a new  pharmaceutical  plant in  connection  with its
modernization of ICN Oktyabr. The new factory, the construction of which is
expected to be  completed  in 2000,  will  comply  with Good  Manufacturing
Practice (GMP) Standards. See "The Company."

          On December  5, 1997,  the Company  acquired  the U.S.  rights to
Efudix and Librium from Roche and the worldwide rights to Levo-Dromoran and
Tensilon from subsidiaries of Roche for a total aggregate purchase price of
approximately  $89,000,000 (the purchase price for which was paid utilizing
the price appreciation in the Common Stock issued to Roche in August 1997).
In August 1997,  the Company had acquired  worldwide  rights to seven Roche
products,  rights outside of the United States to Efudix and Librium and an
option to obtain the U.S. rights to these two products. See "The Company."

          On November 16, 1997, the Company completed its redemption of its
8 1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated  Notes due 1999 (the "8 1/2%  Notes")  at
102.125% of the principal  amount plus accrued  interest.  In addition,  on
November 7, 1997,  the Company  completed  its  redemption of the 5 5/8% Xr
Capital   Holding   Exchangeable   Certificates   due  2001  (the  "5  5/8%
Certificates"),  issued by a trust (the "Trust") established by the Company
in  1986,  at  100% of the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  interest.  In
connection  with  the  redemption  of the 8  1/2%  Notes,  $114,800,000  in
principal  amount were converted into 5,200,000 shares of Common Stock, and
the  balance of  $61,000  in  principal  amount  was  redeemed  for cash at
102.125% of the principal  amount. In connection with the redemption of the
5 5/8%  Certificates,  Swiss Francs  59,000,000  in  principal  amount were
exchangeable  into  1,300,000  shares of Common  Stock,  and the balance of
Swiss Francs  180,000 in principal  amount was redeemed for cash at 100% of
the principal amount plus accrued  interest.  As part of the redemption and
the  termination  of the Trust,  Swiss Francs  36,000,000 of collateral was
released  and  became  available  to  the  Company  for  general  corporate
purposes.  The preceding  share and per share amounts do not give effect to
the three for two stock split in the nature of a dividend  payable on March
16, 1998.


                              USE OF PROCEEDS

          The net  proceeds  to be  received  from the  sale of the  Shares
offered  hereby  will be used for  general  corporate  purposes,  including
possible  acquisitions  of the capital stock or assets of other  companies,
retirement of short-term or long-term indebtedness,  or for such other uses
as may be set forth in a Prospectus  Supplement.  To the extent  Shares are
issued  to  third   parties  in  connection   with   business   combination
transactions, the Company would not receive cash proceeds but would receive
assets or stock of third parties in exchange for such Shares.

                            PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          The  Company  may  sell  Shares  to or  through  underwriters  or
dealers,  directly to other purchasers,  or through agents. Shares may also
be  issued  to  third  parties  in  connection  with  business  combination
transactions.  To the  extent a  Prospectus  Supplement  is  required,  the
Prospectus  Supplement  with respect to the Shares will set forth the terms
of the  offering  of  the  Shares,  including  the  name  or  names  of any
underwriters,  dealers or agents,  the price of the offered  Shares and the
net  proceeds  to  the  Company  from  such  sale,  any  delayed   delivery
arrangements,  any  underwriting  discounts  or  other  items  constituting
underwriters'  compensation,   any  discounts  or  concessions  allowed  or
reallowed  or paid to dealers  and any  securities  exchanges  on which the
Shares may be listed.

          If underwriters are used in the sale, the Shares will be acquired
by the  underwriters  for their own  account and may be resold from time to
time in one or more transactions,  including negotiated transactions,  at a
fixed public price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The
underwriters  or  underwriters  with respect to a  particular  underwritten
offering of Shares will be named in the Prospectus  Supplement  relating to
such  offering,  and if an  underwriting  syndicate  is used,  the managing
underwriters  or  underwriters  will  be set  forth  on the  cover  of such
Prospectus  Supplement.  Unless  otherwise  set  forth  in  the  Prospectus
Supplement,  the obligations of the  underwriters or agents to purchase the
Shares will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters
will be  obligated  to purchase  all the Shares if any are  purchased.  Any
initial public  offering price and any discounts or concessions  allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

          If a dealer is  utilized  in the sale of any Shares in respect of
which this  Prospectus is  delivered,  the Company will sell such Shares to
the  dealer,  as  principal.  The dealer may then resell such Shares to the
public at varying  prices to be  determined  by such  dealer at the time of
resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set
forth in any required Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

          Shares  may be  sold  directly  by  the  Company  to one or  more
institutional  purchasers, or through agents designated by the Company from
time to time,  at a fixed  price or  prices,  which may be  changed,  or at
varying  prices  determined  at time of sale.  To the  extent a  Prospectus
Supplement  is  required,  any agent  involved  in the offer or sale of the
Shares will be named,  and any  commissions  payable by the Company to such
agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

          In connection with the sale of the Shares, underwriters or agents
may receive  compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Shares for
whom  they may act as  agents  in the form of  discounts,  concessions,  or
commissions.   Underwriters,  agents,  and  dealers  participating  in  the
distribution  of the  Shares  may be  deemed  to be  underwriters,  and any
discounts or  commissions  received by them from the Company and any profit
on the  resale  of the  Shares  by them may be  deemed  to be  underwriting
discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.

          If so  indicated  in  any  required  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Company will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by
certain  specified  institutions to purchase Shares from the Company at the
public offering price set forth in such Prospectus  Supplement  pursuant to
delayed  delivery  contracts  providing  for  payment  and  delivery  on  a
specified date in the future.  Such contracts will be subject only to those
conditions  set  forth  in any  required  Prospectus  Supplement,  and such
Prospectus   Supplement   will  set  forth  the   commission   payable  for
solicitation of such contracts.

          Any  underwriters  to whom  Shares  are sold by the  Company  for
public  offering  and  sale  may make a  market  in such  Shares,  but such
underwriters  will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market
making at any time  without  notice.  No  assurance  can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for any Shares.

          Agents,   dealers,   and   underwriters  may  be  entitled  under
agreements  entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company
against  certain  civil  liabilities,   including   liabilities  under  the
Securities  Act, or to  contribution  with  respect to  payments  that such
agents,  dealers,  or  underwriters  may be required  to make with  respect
thereto.  Underwriters,  dealers,  or agents  and their  associates  may be
customers of,  engage in  transactions  with and perform  services for, the
Company in the ordinary course of business.

                               LEGAL MATTERS

          The  legality of the Common Stock  offered  hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by David C. Watt,  Executive Vice  President,  General
Counsel and Corporate  Secretary of the Company.  As of March 10, 1998, Mr.
Watt beneficially  owned 149,509 shares of Common Stock,  including 146,517
shares  which he has the right to acquire  upon the  exercise of  currently
exercisable stock options.

                       INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

          The  consolidated  balance  sheets as  of  December  31, 1996 and
1995, and the consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and
cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended  December  31,
1996,  incorporated  by reference in this  Prospectus,  have been  included
herein in  reliance  on the  report,  which  includes an emphasis of matter
paragraph  related to the Company's net monetary  assets at ICN  Yugoslavia
which would be subject to foreign  exchange  loss if a  devaluation  of the
dinar  was to  occur,  of  Coopers &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,  independent  public
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in auditing and
accounting. With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for
the periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus,  the independent  accountants have reported that they have
applied limited procedures in accordance with professional  standards for a
review of such information.  However, their separate report included in the
Company's  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q for the quarters  ended March 31,
June 30 and  September  30, 1997,  and  incorporated  by reference  herein,
states  that they did not audit and they do not  express an opinion on that
interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their
reports on such  information  should be  restricted in light of the limited
nature of the review procedures applied. The accountants are not subject to
the  liability  provisions  of Section 11 of the  Securities  Act for their
report on the unaudited interim financial  information  because that report
is not a "report"  or a "part" of the  Registration  Statement  prepared or
certified by the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the
Securities Act.

          Any financial statements and schedules hereafter  incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part,
that have  been  audited  and are the  subject  of a report by  independent
accountants  will be so  incorporated  by reference  in reliance  upon such
reports and upon the authority of such firms as experts in  accounting  and
auditing to the extent covered by consents filed with the Commission.

          NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR TO MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS,  OTHER  THAN  THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS  PROSPECTUS,  IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS OFFERING,  AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY SALE MADE  HEREUNDER  SHALL,  UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION  THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY  SINCE  THE  DATE OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT
CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER OR  SOLICITATION  BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
OFFER OR  SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR  SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

                                  PART II
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

          The  following  table sets forth the  estimated  expenses  of the
Registrant in connection  with the  distribution  of the  securities  being
registered hereunder.


SEC Filing Fee......................................$35,022.00
Legal Fees and Expenses.............................$25,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses........................$20,000.00
Miscellaneous.......................................$ 5,000.00
                                                    ----------
               Total ...............................$85,022.00

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware empowers a
corporation  to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened,  pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding,  whether civil,  criminal,  administrative  or investigative by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,  officer,  employee
or agent of the  corporation  or is or was  serving  at the  request of the
corporation  as  a  director,   officer,   employee  or  agent  of  another
corporation or enterprise.  Depending on the character of the proceeding, a
corporation may indemnify  against expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees),
judgments,  fines and amounts paid in  settlement  actually and  reasonably
incurred in connection  with such action,  suit or proceeding if the person
indemnified  acted  in good  faith  and in a  manner  he or she  reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the  corporation,
and with  respect to any  criminal  action or  proceeding,  had no cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful.  In the case of an action by or in
the right of the corporation,  no indemnification may be made in respect to
any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged
to be liable to the  corporation  unless  and only to the  extent  that the
Court of  Chancery  or the court in which such  action or suit was  brought
shall  determine that despite the  adjudication of liability such person is
fairly and  reasonably  entitled to indemnity for such  expenses  which the
court shall deem proper.

          Section  145  further  provides  that to the extent a director or
officer of a corporation  has been successful in the defense of any action,
suit or proceeding  referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue
or  matter  therein,  he or  she  shall  be  indemnified  against  expenses
(including  attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her
in  connection  therewith.  However,  if the  director  or  officer  is not
successful in the defense of any action,  suit or proceeding as referred to
above or in the  defense of any claim,  issue or matter  therein,  he shall
only be indemnified  by the  corporation as authorized in the specific case
upon a determination  that  indemnification is proper because he or she met
the applicable  standard set forth above as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Board of Directors or by the stockholders.

          The Registrant's  bylaws provide  indemnification to its officers
and directors  against  liability they may incur in their capacity as such,
which  indemnification is similar to that provided by Section 145, unless a
determination  is  reasonably  and  promptly  made  by a  majority  of  the
disinterested Board of Directors that the indemnitee acted in bad faith and
in a manner that the  indemnitee did not believe to be in or not opposed to
the best  interests  of the  Registrant,  or, with  respect to any criminal
proceeding, that the indemnitee believed or had reasonable cause to believe
that his or her conduct was unlawful.

          The  Registrant  carries   directors'  and  officers'   liability
insurance,  covering  losses  up  to  $5,000,000  (subject  to  a  $500,000
deductible).

          The   Registrant,   as  a   matter   of   policy,   enters   into
indemnification  agreements  with its directors  and officers  indemnifying
them  against  liability  they may  incur in their  capacity  as such.  The
indemnification  agreements  require no  specific  standard  of conduct for
indemnification   and  make  no  distinction  between  civil  and  criminal
proceedings, except in proceedings where the dishonesty of an indemnitee is
alleged.  Such  indemnification  is  not  available  if  an  indemnitee  is
adjudicated  to have acted in a deliberately  dishonest  manner with actual
dishonest  purpose  and  intent  where  such  acts  were  material  to  the
adjudicated  proceeding.  Additionally,  the indemnity  agreements  provide
indemnification  for any claim  against  an  indemnitee  where the claim is
based upon the indemnitee  obtaining  personal advantage or profit to which
he or she was not  legally  entitled,  the  claim is for an  accounting  of
profits  made in  connection  with a  violation  of  Section  16(b)  of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  or similar state law  provision,  or the
claim  was  brought  about  or  contributed  to by  the  dishonesty  of the
indemnitee.

          Section 102(b) (7) of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law, as
amended,   permits  a  corporation   to  include  in  its   certificate  of
incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of
a director to the corporation or its  stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director,  provided that such provision shall
not  eliminate  or limit the  liability of a director (i) for any breach of
the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)
for  acts or  omissions  not in good  faith or  which  involve  intentional
misconduct  or a knowing  violation of law,  (iii) under Section 174 of the
Delaware General  Corporation Law (relating to unlawful payment of dividend
and unlawful stock purchase and  redemption),  or (iv) for any  transaction
from  which  the  director  derived  an  improper  personal  benefit.   The
Registrant has provided in its  certificate of  incorporation,  as amended,
that its directors  shall be exculpated  from  liability as provided  under
Section 102(b) (7).

          The foregoing  summaries are necessarily  subject to the complete
text of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Registrant's  Certificate
of Incorporation and the agreements  referred to above and are qualified in
their entirety by reference thereto.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

4.1    Amended and Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of Registrant,
       previously  filed  as  Exhibit  3.1 to  Registration  Statement  No.
       33-83952 on Form S-1, which is incorporated herein by reference,  as
       amended by the  Certificate  of Merger,  dated November 10, 1994, of
       ICN Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., SPI Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., and Viratek,
       Inc. with and into ICN Merger Corp., previously filed as Exhibit 4.1
       to  Registration  Statement  No.  333-08179  on Form  S-3,  which is
       incorporated herein by reference.

4.2    Bylaws  of  the  Registrant,  previously  filed  as  Exhibit  3.2 to
       Registration   Statement  No.   33-83952  on  Form  S-1,   which  is
       incorporated herein by reference.

4.3    Form of Rights  Agreement,  dated as of November 2, 1994 between the
       Registrant  and American  Stock Transfer & Trust Company as Trustee,
       previously  filed as Exhibit 4.3 to  Registration  Statement on Form
       8-A,  dated  November  10,  1994,  which is  incorporated  herein by
       reference.

5.     Opinion of David C. Watt, Executive Vice President,  General Counsel
       and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant, regarding the legality of
       the securities being registered.

15.1   Awareness  Letter  of  Independent  Accountant  regarding  Unaudited
       Interim Financial Information.

15.2   Review Report of Independent Public Accountants for the period ended
       March 31, 1997, previously filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly Report
       on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, and  incorporated
       herein by reference.

15.3   Review Report of Independent Public Accountants for the period ended
       June 30, 1997,  previously filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly Report
       on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997,  and  incorporated
       herein by reference.

15.4   Review  Report  of  Independent  Accountants  for the  period  ended
       September  30, 1997,  previously  filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly
       Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended  September  30, 1997,  and
       incorporated herein by reference.

23.1   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. Independent Public Accountants.

23.2   Consent of David C. Watt  (contained in his opinion filed as Exhibit
       5).

24.    Power  of  Attorney   (included   elsewhere   in  the   Registration
       Statement).

- ----------------

*      None of the other  indebtedness of the Registrant exceeds 10% of its
       total consolidated assets. The Registrant will furnish copies of the
       instruments relating to such other indebtedness upon request.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file,  during any period in which  offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i)  To  include  any  prospectus  required  by  section  10(a)(3)  of  the
Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising  after the
effective  date  of  the   Registration   Statement  (or  the  most  recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
represent  a  fundamental  change  in  the  information  set  forth  in the
Registration Statement; and

(iii) To  include  any  material  information  with  respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration  Statement or any
material  change  to  such  information  in  the  Registration   Statement;
provided,  however,  that  paragraphs  (i)  and  (ii) do not  apply  if the
information required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those
paragraphs  is  contained  in  periodic  reports  filed  by the  Registrant
pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
of the securities  being  registered which remain unsold at the termination
of offering.

(4) That,  for purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities
Act of 1933,  each filing of the  Registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and,
where  applicable,  each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration  Statement shall be deemed to
be a new registration  relating to the securities offered therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the  foregoing provisions,  or otherwise, the
Registrant  has been  advised  the in the  opinion  of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
expressed in that Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification  against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the  Registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or
controlling  person of the  Registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any
action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such  director,  officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,  the
Registrant  will,  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate
jurisdiction  the question  whether such  indemnification  by it is against
public  policy  as  expressed  in the  Securities  Act of 1933  and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                 SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the  requirements  for filing on Form S-3 and has duly
caused  this  Registration  Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Costa Mesa and State
of California on March 12, 1998.


                                             ICN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.


                                                   /s/ Milan Panic
                                             -----------------------------
                                             By:  Milan Panic
                                             Chairman, President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer

                             POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person whose  signature  appears
below  constitutes  and appoints Milan Panic and David C. Watt his true and
lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  with full power of substitution and
resubstitution,  for him and in his name,  place and stead,  in any and all
capacities,  to  sign  any  and all  amendments  (including  post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement,  and to file the same, with all
exhibits  thereto,  and other documents in connection  therewith,  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done, as fully
to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in  person,  hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any
of them, or his substitute or  substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

          PURSUANT TO THE  REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  HAS BEEN  SIGNED BY THE  FOLLOWING  PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITY INDICATED.


SIGNATURE                              TITLE                    DATE


     /s/ Milan Panic
- -----------------------------------
Milan Panic                            Chairman and Chief       March 12, 1998
                                       Executive Officer
                                       (Principal Executive 
                                       Officer)

     /s/ John E. Giordani                                       March 12, 1998
- -----------------------------------
John E. Giordani                       Executive Vice 
                                       President, Chief 
                                       Financial Officer
                                       (Principal Financial 
                                       and Accounting Officer)

     /s/ Norman Barker, Jr.
- -----------------------------------
Norman Barker, Jr.                     Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Senator Birch E. Bayh, Jr.
- -----------------------------------
Senator Birch E. Bayh, Jr.             Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Alan F. Charles
- -----------------------------------
Alan F. Charles                        Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Roger Guillemin
- -----------------------------------
Roger Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D.           Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Adam Jerney
- -----------------------------------
Adam Jerney                            Director, President,     March 12, 1998
                                       Chief Operating
                                       Officer

     /s/ Dale M. Hanson
- -----------------------------------
Dale M. Hanson                         Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Weldon B. Jolley, Ph.D.
- -----------------------------------
Weldon B. Jolley, Ph.D.                Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Andrei V. Kozyrev
- -----------------------------------
Andrei V. Kozyrev                      Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Jean-Francois Kurz
- -----------------------------------
Jean-Francois Kurz                     Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Thomas H. Lenagh
- -----------------------------------
Thomas H. Lenagh                       Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Charles T. Manatt
- -----------------------------------
Charles T. Manatt                      Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Stephen D. Moses
- -----------------------------------
Stephen D. Moses                       Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Michael Smith, Ph.D.
- -----------------------------------
Michael Smith, Ph.D.                   Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Roberts A. Smith, Ph.D.
- -----------------------------------
Roberts A. Smith, Ph.D.                Director                 March 12, 1998


     /s/ Richard W. Starr
- -----------------------------------
Richard W. Starr                       Director                 March 12, 1998


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

4.1    Amended and Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of Registrant,
       previously  filed  as  Exhibit  3.1 to  Registration  Statement  No.
       33-83952 on Form S-1, which is incorporated herein by reference,  as
       amended by the  Certificate  of Merger,  dated November 10, 1994, of
       ICN Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., SPI Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., and Viratek,
       Inc. with and into ICN Merger Corp.; previously filed as Exhibit 4.1
       to  Registration  Statement  No.  333-08179  on Form  S-3,  which is
       incorporated herein by reference.

4.2    Bylaws  of  the  Registrant,  previously  filed  as  Exhibit  3.2 to
       Registration   Statement  No.   33-83952  on  Form  S-1,   which  is
       incorporated herein by reference.

4.3    Form of Rights  Agreement,  dated as of November 2, 1994 between the
       Registrant  and American  Stock Transfer & Trust Company as Trustee,
       previously  filed as Exhibit 4.3 to  Registration  Statement on Form
       8-A,  dated  November  10,  1994,  which is  incorporated  herein by
       reference.

5.     Opinion of David C. Watt, Executive Vice President,  General Counsel
       and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant, regarding the legality of
       the securities being registered.

15.1   Awareness  Letter  of  Independent  Accountant  regarding  Unaudited
       Interim Financial Information.

15.2   Review Report of Independent Public Accountants for the period ended
       March 31, 1997, previously filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly Report
       on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, and  incorporated
       herein by reference.

15.3   Review Report of Independent Public Accountants for the period ended
       June 30, 1997,  previously filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly Report
       on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997,  and  incorporated
       herein by reference.

15.4   Review  Report  of  Independent  Accountants  for the  period  ended
       September  30, 1997,  previously  filed as Exhibit 15.1 to Quarterly
       Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended  September  30, 1997,  and
       incorporated herein by reference.

23.1   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. Independent Public Accountants.

23.2   Consent of David C. Watt  (contained in his opinion filed as Exhibit
       5).

24.    Power  of  Attorney   (included   elsewhere   in  the   Registration
       Statement).

- ----------------------

*      None of the other  indebtedness of the Registrant exceeds 10% of its
       total consolidated assets. The Registrant will furnish copies of the
       instruments relating to such other indebtedness upon request.

                                                            Exhibit 5

                 [LETTERHEAD OF ICN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.]



March 12, 1998



ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, California 92626

     RE:  Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-10661)
          ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
          Common Stock
          ------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
have been involved with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), of the shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $.01
par value of the Company, being offered pursuant to the above described
Registration Statement.

     In connection with the offering of the Shares, I have examined the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the
By-laws of the Company, and other corporate records of the Company, and
such other documents I have deemed relevant to this opinion.

     Based and relying solely upon the foregoing, it is my opinion that
when issued for a consideration of at least $.01 per Share, the Shares will
be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the above described
Registration Statement. Consent also is given to the reference to me under
the caption "Legal Matters" in such Registration Statement as having passed
upon the validity of the issuance of the Shares. In giving this consent, I
do not hereby admit that I come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

                                            Respectfully submitted,
                                            /s/ David C. Watt
                                            -----------------------------
                                            David C. Watt
                                            Executive Vice President,
                                            General Counsel and Corporate
                                            Secretary


                                                           Exhibit 15.1

                                                       March 11, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549


RE:  ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-10661)

     We are aware that our reports dated May 8, 1997, July 31, 1997 and
November 3, 1997, respectively, on our reviews of interim financial
information of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the three month periods ended
March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997 and included in the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the respective quarter, then
ended, are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, these reports
should not be considered a part of the registration statement prepared or
certified by us within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.




                                        /s/  Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                       ---------------------------------
                                        Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


                                                            Exhibit 23.1

                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-10661) of our report dated March 4, 1997, which
includes an emphasis of a matter paragraph related to the Company's net
monetary assets at ICN Yugoslavia, which would be subject to foreign
exchange loss if a devaluation of the Yugoslavian dinar were to occur, on
our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedule of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. We also consent to the reference to
our firm under the caption "Independent Public Accountants."


Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Newport Beach, California
March 11, 1998


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