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<B><FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=5><P ALIGN="CENTER"><BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
</FONT>Washington, D.C. 20549</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<FONT SIZE=5><P ALIGN="CENTER">FORM  8-K</P>
</FONT><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<FONT SIZE=5><P ALIGN="CENTER">CURRENT REPORT</FONT><BR>
</B>__________________________________________</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of<BR>
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">July 20, 2004</B><BR>
Date of report (date of earliest event reported)</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<B><U><FONT SIZE=5><P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;FOREST LABORATORIES, INC.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>
</B></U></FONT>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=562>
<TR><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">Delaware<BR>
</B><I>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</I></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">1-5438<BR>
</B>(Commission<BR>
   File Number)</TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">11-1798614<BR>
</B><I>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</I></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">909 Third Avenue<BR>
New York, New York <BR>
</B><I>(Address of principal executive offices)</I></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">10022-4731<BR>
</B><I>(Zip code)</I></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
</FONT><B><P ALIGN="CENTER">(212) 421-7850<BR>
</B><I>(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)<BR>
</P>
</I><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P>Item 12. <U>Results of Operations and Financial Condition</P>

</U><P>    On July 20, 2004, the Registrant issued a press release announcing its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. A copy of the press release is included with this report as Exhibit 99(1).</P>

<P>Item 7. <U>Financial Statements, Pro-Forma Financial Information and Exhibits</P>

</U><P>    (c) Exhibit 99(1). Press release of Forest Laboratories, Inc. dated July 20, 2004.</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<FONT FACE="Courier,Courier New"><P ALIGN="CENTER"><A NAME="Quick_Links"></A></P>
</FONT><P ALIGN="CENTER"><A NAME="STATEMENTS_OF_INCOME"></A> SIGNATURES</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Date:  July 20, 2004</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><BR>
<BR>
</P><DIR>
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<U><P>Forest Laboratories, Inc.</U><BR>
(Registrant)</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><BR>
</P>
<U><P>/s/ John E. Eggers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>
</U>John E. Eggers<BR>
Vice President - Finance and<BR>
Chief Financial Officer</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P>&nbsp;</P></DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>

</B><P><A NAME="STATEMENTS_OF_COMPREHENSIVE_INCOME"></A> Exhibit 99(1)</P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Company Contact:</B><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CHARLES E. TRIANO<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Vice President-Investor Relations<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Forest Laboratories, Inc.<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;909 Third Avenue<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;New York, NY 10022<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(212) 224-6714<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;charles.triano@frx.com</P>
</I><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<B><FONT SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER">FOREST LABORATORIES REPORTS </P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">FISCAL FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS OF $.60 PER SHARE</P>
</FONT><P ALIGN="CENTER">COMPANY RAISES FY05 EPS GUIDANCE to $2.40-$2.50</P>
</B><FONT SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
</FONT><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">NEW YORK, July 20, 2004 - Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX), an international pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer, today announced that diluted earnings per share equaled $.60 in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, an increase of 25% from the reported $.48 in last year's first quarter.<FONT FACE="Courier,Courier New"> </FONT>Net sales for the quarter increased 29% to $782,396,000 from $605,748,000 in the prior year.  Sales in the quarter included $624,925,000 for Forest's antidepressant franchise which was comprised of $363,872,000 of Lexapro&reg; (escitalopram oxalate) and $261,053,000 of Celexa&reg; (citalopram HBr).  Lexapro sales were driven by increased prescription volume while Celexa sales were impacted by lower prescription volume which was more than offset by a higher average selling price.  The average pricing on Celexa during the quarter was a result of a 4% price increase implemented in early March 2004, elimination of managed-care rebates and greater number of pills per Celexa prescription due to the larger proportion of Celexa prescriptions in the mail-order segment.  Namenda&reg;, our NMDA receptor antagonist for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, recorded sales of $57,368,000 during the quarter.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"> </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Net income in the current quarter increased 28% to $229,919,000 from $179,817,000 reported in the first quarter of the prior year.  Selling, general and administrative expense increased 25% to $239,305,000 while research and development spending increased 60% to $85,283,000.  Research and development spending included a one-time upfront payment to PAION GmbH for the U.S. and Canadian rights to desmoteplase, a compound being investigated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Howard Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest, said: "Our three principle promoted products, Lexapro, Namenda and the angiotensin receptor blocker Benicar&reg;*, which we co-promote with Sankyo Pharma., continued their strong performance during the quarter increasing their respective market shares in response to continued growth in physician acceptance and patient response.  The underlying prescription growth rate of the overall antidepressant market continued to grow in line with our previous expectations and we are encouraged by the strong prescription growth rates in the underlying markets for Namenda and Benicar."</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Mr. Solomon continued:  "Our strong financial performance this quarter will allow us to modify our earnings per share guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 by increasing the lower end of our range from $2.35 to $2.40 while maintaining the upper end at $2.50."</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"> </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Forest will host a conference call at 10:00 AM EDT today to discuss the results.  The conference call will be webcast live beginning at 10:00 AM EDT on the Company's website at www.frx.com and also on the website www.streetevents.com.  Please log on to either website at least fifteen minutes prior to the conference call as it may be necessary to download software to access the call.  A replay of the conference call will be available until July 30, 2004 at both websites and also by dialing (800) 642-1687 (US or Canada) or +1 706 645-9291 (International). Conference ID: 8687994. </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Except for historical information contained herein, this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.   Actual results may differ materially from those projected.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">*Benicar is a registered trademark of Sankyo Pharma.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&#9;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">* * * * *</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<FONT FACE="Courier,Courier New"><P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
</FONT><B><P ALIGN="CENTER">FOREST LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES<BR>
Consolidated Statement of Income<BR>
(Unaudited)</P>
</B>
<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=666>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<I><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><BR>
(In thousands, except&nbsp;per share amounts)</I></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;Three Months Ended&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>
<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;June 30,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2004</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2003</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Revenues:</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;Net sales</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$782,396&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$605,748&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;Other income </TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10,430</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8,681</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Net revenues</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;792,826</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;614,429</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Costs and expenses:</B><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cost of goods sold</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><BR>
177,201&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><BR>
140,668&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selling, general and administrative</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">239,305&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">191,494&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Research and development</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;85,283</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;53,347</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;501,789</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;385,509</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Income before income tax expense</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">291,037&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">228,920&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Income tax expense</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;61,118</U>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="RIGHT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49,103</U>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Net income</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$229,919&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$179,817&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">=======&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">=======&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Net income per common and common</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>equivalent share:</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$0.62&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$0.49&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">====&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">====&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diluted</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$0.60&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">$0.48&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">====&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">====&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><P>Weighted average number of common and<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;common equivalent shares outstanding:</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">369,796&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">364,098&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">======&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">======&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diluted</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">380,943&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">376,803&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">======&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P ALIGN="RIGHT">======&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "forest8kjul04.htm", "description": "FOREST LABORATORIES, INC. 8-K JULY 20, 2004", "secsgml_size_bytes": 22917}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FOREST LABORATORIES INC", "cik": "0000038074", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "111798614", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-05438", "film-number": "04921494"}, "business-address": {"street1": "909 THIRD AVENUE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10022", "phone": "2124217850"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "909 THIRD AVENUE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10022"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM  8-K
CURRENT REPORT
__________________________________________
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
July 20, 2004
Date of report (date of earliest event reported)
FOREST LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1-5438
(Commission
File Number)
11-1798614
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
909 Third Avenue
New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
10022-4731
(Zip code)
(212) 421-7850
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Item 12.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On July 20, 2004, the Registrant issued a press release announcing its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. A copy of the press release is included with this report as Exhibit 99(1).
Item 7.
Financial Statements, Pro-Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(c) Exhibit 99(1). Press release of Forest Laboratories, Inc. dated July 20, 2004.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date:  July 20, 2004
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
(Registrant)
/s/ John E. Eggers
John E. Eggers
Vice President - Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 99(1)
Company Contact:
CHARLES E. TRIANO
Vice President-Investor Relations
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
909 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 224-6714
charles.triano@frx.com
FOREST LABORATORIES REPORTS
FISCAL FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS OF $.60 PER SHARE
COMPANY RAISES FY05 EPS GUIDANCE to $2.40-$2.50
NEW YORK, July 20, 2004 - Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX), an international pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer, today announced that diluted earnings per share equaled $.60 in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, an increase of 25% from the reported $.48 in last year's first quarter.
Net sales for the quarter increased 29% to $782,396,000 from $605,748,000 in the prior year.  Sales in the quarter included $624,925,000 for Forest's antidepressant franchise which was comprised of $363,872,000 of Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate) and $261,053,000 of Celexa® (citalopram HBr).  Lexapro sales were driven by increased prescription volume while Celexa sales were impacted by lower prescription volume which was more than offset by a higher average selling price.  The average pricing on Celexa during the quarter was a result of a 4% price increase implemented in early March 2004, elimination of managed-care rebates and greater number of pills per Celexa prescription due to the larger proportion of Celexa prescriptions in the mail-order segment.  Namenda®, our NMDA receptor antagonist for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, recorded sales of $57,368,000 during the quarter.
Net income in the current quarter increased 28% to $229,919,000 from $179,817,000 reported in the first quarter of the prior year.  Selling, general and administrative expense increased 25% to $239,305,000 while research and development spending increased 60% to $85,283,000.  Research and development spending included a one-time upfront payment to PAION GmbH for the U.S. and Canadian rights to desmoteplase, a compound being investigated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Howard Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest, said: "Our three principle promoted products, Lexapro, Namenda and the angiotensin receptor blocker Benicar®*, which we co-promote with Sankyo Pharma., continued their strong performance during the quarter increasing their respective market shares in response to continued growth in physician acceptance and patient response.  The underlying prescription growth rate of the overall antidepressant market continued to grow in line with our previous expectations and we are encouraged by the strong prescription growth rates in the underlying markets for Namenda and Benicar."
Mr. Solomon continued:  "Our strong financial performance this quarter will allow us to modify our earnings per share guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 by increasing the lower end of our range from $2.35 to $2.40 while maintaining the upper end at $2.50."
Forest will host a conference call at 10:00 AM EDT today to discuss the results.  The conference call will be webcast live beginning at 10:00 AM EDT on the Company's website at www.frx.com and also on the website www.streetevents.com.  Please log on to either website at least fifteen minutes prior to the conference call as it may be necessary to download software to access the call.  A replay of the conference call will be available until July 30, 2004 at both websites and also by dialing (800) 642-1687 (US or Canada) or +1 706 645-9291 (International). Conference ID: 8687994.
Except for historical information contained herein, this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.   Actual results may differ materially from those projected.
*Benicar is a registered trademark of Sankyo Pharma.
* * * * *
FOREST LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
2004
2003
Revenues:
Net sales
$782,396
$605,748
Other income
10,430
8,681
Net revenues
792,826
614,429
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold
177,201
140,668
Selling, general and administrative
239,305
191,494
Research and development
85,283
53,347
501,789
385,509
Income before income tax expense
291,037
228,920
Income tax expense
61,118
49,103
Net income
$229,919
$179,817
=======
=======
Net income per common and common
equivalent share:
Basic
$0.62
$0.49
====
====
Diluted
$0.60
$0.48
====
====
Weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic
369,796
364,098
======
======
Diluted
380,943
376,803
======
======