Columbia, Md. - Nov. 29, 2004 - Meridian Medical Technologies, Inc. announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AtroPen® 0.25 mg (atropine injection) for infants weighing less than 15 pounds, generally less than 6 months of age. AtroPen® is an antidote for chemical nerve agent poisoning. With this most recent approval, AtroPen® is now available in dosages for patients of all ages.

Atropine is widely known and trusted by the medical community for its safety and is used routinely in hospitals worldwide. The AtroPen® auto-injector is intended for use by persons who have had adequate training in the recognition and treatment of nerve agent intoxication. In the event of poisoning by chemical nerve agents, there are no contraindications relating to the use of the AtroPen® auto-injector. AtroPen® is intended as an initial treatment for chemical nerve agent poisoning, however, individuals should not rely solely upon antidotes, such as atropine, to provide complete protection from chemical nerve agent poisoning. Definitive medical care should be sought immediately after an initial treatment with AtroPen®.

“We believe this newly approved dosage, for the youngest and most-vulnerable members of the population, is another important tool for public health and safety professionals. While we hope there never will be a terrorist attack resulting in the need to treat victims of chemical nerve agent poisoning, we are proud of our role in supplying emergency responders in the United States with the treatment they would need to treat patients of all ages,” said Gerald L. Wannarka, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Meridian Medical Technologies. “As the only company that manufactures first line, FDA approved auto-injected antidotes for chemical nerve agent poisoning, we feel it is our responsibility to offer dosages for people of all ages and sizes, including infants.”

AtroPen® provides a dose of atropine, in a self-contained auto-injector. The product now is available in four strengths: AtroPen® 0.25 mg for infants weighing less than 15 pounds and generally less than 6 months of age, AtroPen® 0.5 mg for children weighing 15 to 40 pounds, generally 6 months to 4 years of age, AtroPen® 1 mg for children weighing from 40 to 90 pounds and generally 4 to 10 years of age and AtroPen® 2 mg for adults and children weighing over 90 pounds who generally are over 10 years of age.

In the event of chemical nerve agent poisoning, the antidote must be administered within minutes of the onset of symptoms. Auto-injectors are designed to deliver medication through clothing and outer garments, including specialized personal protective ensembles worn by emergency medical responders. The auto-injector requires no preparation prior to use, and the technology is proven and reliable.

Auto-injectors filled with atropine have been supplied to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations since 1958, and made available to emergency medical responders since 1995. Historically, atropine auto-injectors have been government issued to citizens of Israel during times of threat by neighboring countries.

Since the 1960s, Meridian Medical Technologies has partnered with and served as a critical supplier for the U.S. Department of Defense. Today, Meridian Medical Technologies is the only supplier of FDA-approved chemical nerve agent antidote auto-injectors, and has produced in excess of 185 million auto-injectors for the world market. As Meridian continues to build on decades of development and manufacturing experience, the company maintains its focus on producing high-quality prescription auto-injectors that meet the demanding operational needs of emergency medical responders, the U.S. Armed Forces and allied military personnel around the world.

About Meridian Medical Technologies Meridian Medical Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG), manufactures a variety of auto-injectors designated for the self-administration of emergency or rescue type medications. These products are designed to bridge the time between a medical emergency and the arrival of definitive medical treatment. AtroPen® is currently made available only to federal, state and local governments and emergency medical workers. Meridian is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. For more information on AtroPen® and Meridian, please visit www.meridianmeds.com/homeland.html.

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a subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10240 Old Columbia Road Columbia, Maryland 21046-2371 443-259-7800 fax: 443-259-7801 www.meridianmeds.com

Media Contacts: Meridian Medical Technologies Tom Handel Tom.Handel@meridianmt.com

Porter Novelli Tracy Bone (443) 259-7870 (312) 856-8814 tbone@porternovelli.com