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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#P18994tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;9, 2011</B></DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>52-1574808</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>7720 North Dobson Road<BR>
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256-2740</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION<BR>
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2006 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Richard D. Peterson</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Copy to:</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Executive Vice President,</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Charles K. Ruck, Esq.</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Chief Financial Officer</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Latham &#038; Watkins LLP</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>and Treasurer</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>650 Town Center Drive, Twentieth Floor</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>7720 North Dobson Road</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Costa Mesa, California 92626-1925</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Scottsdale, Arizona 85256-2740</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(714)&nbsp;540-1235</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(602)&nbsp;808-8800</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,<BR>
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" nowrap>Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>   <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top" nowrap>Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Securities to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Registration</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>be Registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Registered(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Per Share(3)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Price(3)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Fee</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Class&nbsp;A common stock, par value $0.014</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,000,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">32.05</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">32,050,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,721.01</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Each share of our Class&nbsp;A common stock being registered hereunder, if issued prior to the
termination of the Company&#146;s Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated August&nbsp;17, 2005, will
include one preferred stock purchase right. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the
preferred stock purchase rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the Class
A common stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan,
formerly known as the &#147;Medicis 2006 Incentive Award Plan&#148; (as amended and restated, the
&#147;Amended and Restated Plan&#148;) authorizes the issuance
of not more than 10,500,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s Class&nbsp;A common stock, par value $0.014,
of which 1,000,000 shares are being registered hereunder and 9,500,000 have been previously
registered. In accordance with Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Class&nbsp;A common stock which
become issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock
split, recapitalization or similar transaction.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
and (c)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price per share and aggregate
offering price for the shares of our Class&nbsp;A common stock set forth in this Registration
Statement are based upon the average of the high and low trading prices of our Class&nbsp;A common
stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August&nbsp;5, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Proposed issuances to commence as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as practicable.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>











<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">













<DIV align="left">
<!-- TOC -->
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994tocpage"></A>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="100%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994101">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994102">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:30px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994103">Registration of Additional Securities</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:30px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994104">Experts</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:30px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994105">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994106">SIGNATURES</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px"><A href="#P18994107">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
<TR><TD colspan="9"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<A HREF="p18994exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;<A HREF="p18994exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<!-- /TOC -->
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#P18994tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INTRODUCTION</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On May&nbsp;17, 2011, our stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Plan, which, among other
things, increased the number of authorized shares of our Class&nbsp;A common stock, par value $0.014 per
share (&#147;Common Stock&#148;), that may become issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by 1,000,000
shares.
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994101"></A>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information called for in Part&nbsp;I of the Form S-8 is not being filed with or included in
this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994102"></A>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994103"></A>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><U><B>Registration of Additional Securities</B></U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Amended and Restated Plan authorizes the issuance of not more than 10,500,000 shares of
Common Stock. We previously registered 5,000,000 shares, 2,500,000 shares and 2,000,000 shares
issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed with the
Commission on July&nbsp;10, 2006, Registration No.&nbsp;333-135675, July&nbsp;3, 2007, Registration No.
333-144334, and June&nbsp;3, 2009, Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-159714, respectively (collectively,
the &#147;Prior Registration Statements&#148;). Under this Registration Statement, we are registering an
additional 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan. The
contents of the Prior Registration Statements are incorporated by reference herein to the extent
not modified or superseded thereby or by any subsequently filed document that is incorporated by
reference herein or therein.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994104"></A>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><U><B>Experts</B></U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The consolidated financial statements of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;)
appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010 (including the
schedule appearing therein), have been audited by Ernst &#038; Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994105"></A>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. </B><U><B>Exhibits</B></U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">See Index to Exhibits herein.
</DIV>








<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#P18994tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994106"></A>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, Medicis
Pharmaceutical Corporation, a Delaware corporation, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Scottsdale, State of Arizona, on this 9th day of August, 2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Jonah Shacknai
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>&nbsp;Jonah
Shacknai</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Jonah Shacknai and
Richard D. Peterson, or either of them, as attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in the capacities
stated below, and to file any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
Registration Statement and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting
to said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to perform any other act on behalf of
the undersigned required to be done in the premises.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities as of August&nbsp;9, 2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>SIGNATURE</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>TITLE</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Jonah Shacknai
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>&nbsp;Jonah
Shacknai
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board of Directors <BR>
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard D. Peterson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>&nbsp;Richard
D. Peterson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer <BR>
and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Spencer Davidson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Spencer Davidson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stuart Diamond
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stuart Diamond
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Peter S. Knight, Esq.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter S. Knight, Esq.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael A. Pietrangelo
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael A. Pietrangelo
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Philip S. Schein, M.D.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Philip S. Schein, M.D.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Lottie H. Shackelford
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lottie H. Shackelford
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#P18994tocpage">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left">
<A name="P18994107"></A>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B><u>EXHIBIT</u></B>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="94%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of August&nbsp;17, 2005, between the
Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (Incorporated by reference
to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the SEC on August&nbsp;18,
2005)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture, dated as of August&nbsp;19, 2003, by and between the Company, as issuer,
and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (Incorporated by reference
to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended June&nbsp;30,
2004 filed with the SEC on September&nbsp;10, 2004)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture, dated as of June&nbsp;4, 2002, by and between the Company, as issuer, and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to
the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the SEC on June&nbsp;6, 2002)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Supplemental Indenture dated as of February&nbsp;1, 2005 to Indenture dated as of
August&nbsp;19, 2003 between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as
trustee (Incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2005 filed with the SEC on May&nbsp;10, 2005)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June&nbsp;4, 2002, by and between the
Company and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the SEC on June&nbsp;6, 2002)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP regarding the legality of the securities being
registered</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of independent registered public accounting firm</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award
Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix&nbsp;A of the Definitive Proxy Statement
on Schedule&nbsp;14A filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;6, 2011)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">&#043;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2011
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
52-1574808
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification Number)
7720 North Dobson Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256-2740
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2006 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Richard D. Peterson
Copy to:
Executive Vice President,
Charles K. Ruck, Esq.
Chief Financial Officer
Latham & Watkins LLP
and Treasurer
650 Town Center Drive, Twentieth Floor
7720 North Dobson Road
Costa Mesa, California 92626-1925
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256-2740
(714) 540-1235
(602) 808-8800
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Maximum
Amount
Maximum
Aggregate
Amount of
Title of Securities to
to be
Offering Price
Offering
Registration
be Registered (1)
Registered(2)
Per Share(3)
Price(3)
Fee
Class A common stock, par value $0.014
1,000,000
$
32.05
$
32,050,000
$
3,721.01
(1)
Each share of our Class A common stock being registered hereunder, if issued prior to the
termination of the Company's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated August 17, 2005, will
include one preferred stock purchase right. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the
preferred stock purchase rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the Class
A common stock.
(2)
The Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan,
formerly known as the "Medicis 2006 Incentive Award Plan" (as amended and restated, the
"Amended and Restated Plan") authorizes the issuance
of not more than 10,500,000 shares of the Registrant's Class A common stock, par value $0.014,
of which 1,000,000 shares are being registered hereunder and 9,500,000 have been previously
registered. In accordance with Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Class A common stock which
become issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock
split, recapitalization or similar transaction.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price per share and aggregate
offering price for the shares of our Class A common stock set forth in this Registration
Statement are based upon the average of the high and low trading prices of our Class A common
stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 5, 2011.
Proposed issuances to commence as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as practicable.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Registration of Additional Securities
Experts
Item 8. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-5.1
EX-23.2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
On May 17, 2011, our stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Plan, which, among other
things, increased the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.014 per
share ("Common Stock"), that may become issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by 1,000,000
shares.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information called for in Part I of the Form S-8 is not being filed with or included in
this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Registration of Additional Securities
The Amended and Restated Plan authorizes the issuance of not more than 10,500,000 shares of
Common Stock. We previously registered 5,000,000 shares, 2,500,000 shares and 2,000,000 shares
issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan by Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed with the
Commission on July 10, 2006, Registration No. 333-135675, July 3, 2007, Registration No.
333-144334, and June 3, 2009, Registration Statement No. 333-159714, respectively (collectively,
the "Prior Registration Statements"). Under this Registration Statement, we are registering an
additional 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Amended and Restated Plan. The
contents of the Prior Registration Statements are incorporated by reference herein to the extent
not modified or superseded thereby or by any subsequently filed document that is incorporated by
reference herein or therein.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation (the "Company")
appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010 (including the
schedule appearing therein), have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Item 8.
Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits herein.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, Medicis
Pharmaceutical Corporation, a Delaware corporation, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Scottsdale, State of Arizona, on this 9th day of August, 2011.
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation
By:
/s/ Jonah Shacknai
Jonah
Shacknai
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Jonah Shacknai and
Richard D. Peterson, or either of them, as attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in the capacities
stated below, and to file any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
Registration Statement and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting
to said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to perform any other act on behalf of
the undersigned required to be done in the premises.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities as of August 9, 2011.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
/s/ Jonah Shacknai
Jonah
Shacknai
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Richard D. Peterson
Richard
D. Peterson
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.
Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.
Director
/s/ Spencer Davidson
Spencer Davidson
Director
/s/ Stuart Diamond
Stuart Diamond
Director
/s/ Peter S. Knight, Esq.
Peter S. Knight, Esq.
Director
/s/ Michael A. Pietrangelo
Michael A. Pietrangelo
Director
/s/ Philip S. Schein, M.D.
Philip S. Schein, M.D.
Director
/s/ Lottie H. Shackelford
Lottie H. Shackelford
Director
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
4.1
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2005, between the
Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 18,
2005)
4.2
Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2003, by and between the Company, as issuer,
and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2004 filed with the SEC on September 10, 2004)
4.3
Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2002, by and between the Company, as issuer, and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 6, 2002)
4.4
Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 1, 2005 to Indenture dated as of
August 19, 2003 between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as
trustee (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2005)
4.5
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2002, by and between the
Company and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 6, 2002)
5.1+
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP regarding the legality of the securities being
registered
23.1+
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2+
Consent of independent registered public accounting firm
24+
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement)
99.1
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award
Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Definitive Proxy Statement
on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 6, 2011)
+
Filed herewith