TAP PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INC. NAMES BRIAN LUEDTKE TO HEAD PREVACID MARKETING EFFORTS

LAKE FOREST, Ill., March 5, 2004 - TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. announced today that Brian Luedtke has been named vice president and general manager of PREVACID and gastrointestinal (G.I.) marketing. Luedtke will be responsible for managing the PREVACID and G.I. business and a market-driven new product development strategy, as well as overseeing marketing strategy for the blockbuster brand. In addition to his focus on PREVACID, Luedtke will lead the efforts to identify new opportunities for the company in gastroenterology, one of the company's core therapeutic focuses. He will also oversee all market research activities for TAP.

"We are thrilled to have Brian here at TAP to lead the dynamic, interdisciplinary and highly-talented leadership team we've built within our G.I. business," said H. Thomas Watkins, president of TAP. "Brian's proven expertise in brand strategy and management will be highly valuable as we continue to strengthen our leadership position with PREVACID and as we move forward in the G.I. marketplace."

PREVACID is part of a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and is used to treat acid reflux disease and a variety of other acid-related conditions.

"Reporting to Watkins, Luedtke will oversee professional and consumer outreach efforts for PREVACID. Last year, TAP launched a new direct-to-consumer program for the brand that has proven very successful. This year the campaign has been extended to include a partnership with football Hall of Fame inductee and PREVACID patient John Elway on a public education campaign called the "Road to Relief.""

"Prior to joining TAP, Luedtke was vice president, global marketing, strategic planning and new business development for the Transfusion Therapies business at Baxter Healthcare, overseeing the launches of new therapeutic products. Before joining Baxter, Luedtke spent more than 15 years with Procter & Gamble, primarily in pharmaceuticals where he was involved with products in the gastroenterology, osteoporosis and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) categories."

"Luedtke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Business Administration from Xavier University."

"Luedtke resides in North Barrington, Ill, with his wife Karen and daughters Kate, age 10, and Hannah, age 7."

About PREVACID® (lansoprazole)

PREVACID is used to treat various acid-related disorders, including heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux disease, as well as for the treatment and maintenance of erosive esophagitis. PREVACID is the only PPI indicated for the risk reduction of the recurrence and healing of gastric ulcers associated with chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Symptomatic response to therapy does not preclude the presence of serious stomach problems. PREVACID is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation. The most frequently reported adverse events include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. For further information on PREVACID, please see the complete prescribing information and visit www.prevacid.com or call 1-866-732-7354.

About TAP

TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., located in Lake Forest, Ill., is a joint venture between Abbott Laboratories, headquartered in Abbott Park, Ill., and Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., of Osaka, Japan. TAP also markets Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension). For more information about TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., and its products, visit the company's Web site at www.tap.com..