BRISTOL, Tenn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- King Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (NYSE: KG) announced today the completion of enrollment in the ongoing
Phase IV clinical trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of Altace(R)
(ramipril), an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor, in the treatment
of hypertension (high blood pressure) in children.  This important trial known
as TOPHAT (Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension with Altace Trial) is scheduled
to conclude by the end of 2004.
    Jefferson J. Gregory, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of King,
stated, "King has assembled a strong portfolio of drugs that improve people's
lives.  As a fully integrated pharmaceutical company, with a substantial R&D
capability, we are dedicated to developing and acquiring products that make a
difference to patients in a variety of therapeutic areas.  Altace(R) is an
important part of that portfolio and is a cornerstone product for the
treatment of adult hypertension and the number one prescribed branded ACE
inhibitor among cardiologists.  We look forward to gaining new insights,
through TOPHAT, into the treatment of hypertension in children."
    A total of 379 children and adolescents, ages 6 to 16 years, from 43 sites
in the United States and Latin America who have mild to moderate hypertension
were recruited to participate in TOPHAT.  Of those recruited, 216 participants
are being randomized to receive one of three doses of Altace(R) or placebo.
TOPHAT was initiated in response to the FDA's written request for additional
information regarding Altace(R) that may produce health benefits in pediatric
populations.  This request was issued in accordance with the Modernization Act
of 1997 under Section 505A of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  The trial
will potentially generate important information about the dosage and
administration of Altace(R) for the treatment of hypertension in pediatric
patients, data that is not currently available.  In accordance with the
Modernization Act of 1997, Altace(R) should receive an additional six months
of exclusivity beyond patent expiry upon completion of the TOPHAT trial in
accordance with the FDA's written request.

    About Pediatric Hypertension
    Hypertension in children is commonly caused by kidney disease, certain
heart diseases and endocrine (hormone) problems.  Children with a strong
family history of hypertension have a higher risk of developing high blood
pressure at some point in their life than if there is no family history.
Overweight children also are at an increased risk.  If left untreated,
hypertension may lead to heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, or damage to
the eyes.

    About Altace(R)
    Altace(R) is marketed by Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in the United
States and Puerto Rico pursuant to a co-promotion agreement.
    Altace(R) is indicated for the treatment of hypertension.  Altace(R) has
also been shown to reduce the risk of death in stable patients who have
demonstrated clinical signs of congestive heart failure within the first few
days after sustaining acute myocardial infarction.  Based upon the results of
the landmark HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) trial, Altace(R) is
also indicated in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing a
major cardiovascular event either because of a history of coronary artery
disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease or because of diabetes that is
accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension,
elevated total cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, cigarette smoking, or
documented microalbuminuria), to reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial
infarction, or death from cardiovascular causes.
    Altace(R) can be used in addition to other needed treatments (such as
antihypertensive, antiplatelet or lipid-lowering therapies).  Prescription
Altace(R) is not for everyone.  Altace(R) may cause swelling of the mouth,
tongue, or throat, which could cause extremely serious risk and requires
immediate medical care.  Altace(R) may lower blood sugar if taken for
diabetes.  A physician should be contacted if one experiences symptoms of low
blood sugar such as sweating or shakiness.  Common side effects include
persistent dry cough, dizziness, and light-headedness due to low blood
pressure.  Altace(R) should not be taken during pregnancy, as death or injury
to an unborn child may result, or if serious side effects related to previous
ACE inhibitors have occurred.
    Ramipril is manufactured and sold outside the United States, Puerto Rico,
and Japan by Aventis.

    About King Pharmaceuticals
    King, headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated
branded pharmaceutical company.  King, an S&P 500 Index company, seeks to
capitalize on opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry through the
development, including through in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of
novel branded prescription pharmaceutical products in attractive markets and
the strategic acquisition of branded products that can benefit from focused
promotion and marketing and product life-cycle management.

    This release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect
management's current views of future events and operations, including, but not
limited to, statements pertaining to the scheduled conclusion of the TOPHAT
trial; statements pertaining to the potential to generate important
information about the dosage and administration of Altace(R) for the treatment
of hypertension in pediatric patients, data that is not currently available,
based on the results of the TOPHAT trial; and statements pertaining to the
potential for Altace(R) to receive an additional six months of exclusivity
beyond patent expiry upon completion of the TOPHAT trial pursuant to the
Modernization Act of 1997.  These forward-looking statements involve certain
significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially
from the forward-looking statements.  Some important factors which may cause
results to differ include:  dependence on whether the results of the TOPHAT
trial generate important information about the dosage and administration of
Altace(R) for the treatment of hypertension in pediatric patients; dependence
on the completion of the TOPHAT trial in accordance with the FDA's written
request; dependence on King's ability to maintain effective patent protection
for Altace(R) and successfully enforce the patents relating to the product;
dependence on the unpredictability of the duration and results of the FDA
review of any supplemental New Drug Application relating to a pediatric
indication for Altace(R); dependence on whether the TOPHAT trial proceeds as
planned; dependence on our compliance with FDA and other government
regulations that relate to our business; and dependence on changes in general
economic and business conditions; and changes in federal and state laws and
regulations.  Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements are discussed in the "Risk
Factors" section and other sections of King's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002 and Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003,
which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  King does
not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking
statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated
results or events will not be realized.

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