ALLERGAN, INC. is a leading provider of eye care and specialty pharmaceutical products throughout the world with products in the eye care pharmaceutical, ophthalmic surgical device, over-the-counter contact lens care, movement disorder, and dermatological markets. Its worldwide consolidated revenues are principally generated by prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical products in the areas of ophthalmology and skin care, neurotoxins, intraocular lenses and other ophthalmic surgical products, and contact lens care products.

Allergan was originally incorporated in California in 1948, became known as Allergan Corporation in 1950, and reincorporated in Delaware in 1977. In 1980, the Company was acquired by SmithKline Beecham plc. The Company operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SmithKline from 1980 until 1989 when Allergan again became a stand-alone public company through a spin-off distribution by SmithKline.


Specialty Pharmaceutical Business

Eye Care Pharmaceutical Product Line: Allergan develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of prescription and non-prescription products designed to treat diseases and disorders of the eye, including glaucoma, inflammation, infection and allergy. In addition, the specialty over-the-counter product line consists of products designed to treat ocular surface disease, including artificial tears and ocular decongestants. The largest segment of the market for ophthalmic prescription drugs is for the treatment of glaucoma, a sight-threatening disease. In addition to its eye care pharmaceuticals, Allergan markets a variety of artificial tear products for various needs.

Skin Care Product Line: Building upon its strength in marketing to medical specialties and taking advantage of synergies in research and development, Allergan's skin care business develops, manufactures and markets therapeutic as well as cosmetic skin care products, primarily in the United States.


Medical Devices And OTC Product Lines

Ophthalmic Surgical Product Line:  Allergan's ophthalmic surgical business develops, manufactures and markets intraocular lenses (IOLs), surgically related pharmaceuticals, and other ophthalmic refractive surgical products. The largest segment of the surgical market is for the treatment of cataracts. Cataracts are a condition, usually age related, in which the natural lens of the eye becomes progressively clouded. This clouding obstructs the passage of light and can eventually lead to blindness. Most patients affected by cataracts can be surgically treated by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an IOL. The Company currently offers a full line of products used in the performance of cataract surgery.

Contact Lens Care Product Line: The Company has been doing business in the contact lens care market since 1960. On a worldwide basis, it develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for use with every available type of contact lens. These products include disinfecting solutions to destroy harmful microorganisms in and on the surface of contact lenses; daily cleaners to remove undesirable film and deposits from contact lenses; and enzymatic cleaners to remove protein deposits from contact lenses. In the area of disinfecting products, the Company offers products that can be used in both the hydrogen peroxide and convenient chemical systems.


International Operations

Allergan established its first foreign subsidiary in 1964 and currently sells products in approximately 100 countries. Marketing activities are coordinated on a worldwide basis and resident management teams provide leadership and infrastructure for customer focused rapid introduction of new products in the local markets.

Allergan maintains global marketing and regional sales organizations. Supplementing the sales efforts and promotional activities aimed at eye care professionals, as well as neurologists outside the U.S., who use, prescribe and recommend its products, Allergan has been focusing increasingly on managed care providers. In addition, Allergan advertises in professional journals and has an extensive direct mail program of descriptive product literature and scientific information to specialists in the ophthalmic, dermatological and movement disorder fields. The Company's specialty therapeutic products are sold to drug wholesalers, independent and chain drug stores, commercial optical chains, mass merchandisers, food stores, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and medical practitioners, including neurologists.

The Company's global research and development efforts focus on eye care, skin care and neuromuscular products that are safe, effective, convenient and have an economic benefit. The Company's own research and development activities are supplemented by a commitment to identifying and obtaining new technologies through in-licensing, technological collaborations, joint ventures and acquisition efforts, including the establishment of research relationships with academic institutions and individual researchers.

The Company's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AGN"