PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

EXHIBIT 10.9(a)

AMENDMENT

      AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION AND JONAH SHACKNAI, DATED JULY 1, 1996 (the “Agreement”).

      THIS AMENDMENT is made as of this 1st day of April, 1999, between Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”) with offices located at 4343 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, and Jonah Shacknai (the “Executive”), residing at (residence address):

      WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to enter into the present amendment whereby the Executive will continue to provide personal services to the Company as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and

      WHEREAS, the Executive has informed the Company that he desires to reduce the office-based commitment associated with his position so as to enable him to have maximum flexibility in the care of his children;

      WHEREAS, the Company highly values the historical and present contributions of the Executive to furtherance of shareholder value, and believes that the ongoing participation of the Executive as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is an important element of the Company’s future success; and

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      WHEREAS, the Executive shall continue in his responsibilities as set forth in Section 2(a) of the Agreement, with particular emphasis on corporate strategy and product development,

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the continued employment of Executive by the Company as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the above premises and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree to amend their July 1, 1996 Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) as follows:

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