UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000

 

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-6571

 

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION

 

 

Incorporated in New Jersey

22-1918501

One Giralda Farms

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Madison, N.J. 07940-1000

(973) 822-7000

 

(telephone number)

   

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by

Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months,

and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES    X    NO

 

 

 

Common Shares Outstanding as of March 31, 2000: 1,464,102,011

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions, except per share figures)

 

 

Three months

Ended

March 31

 
 
 

2000

 

1999

       

Net sales

$ 2,406 

 

$ 2,186 

Costs and expenses:

     

  Cost of sales

457 

 

432 

  Selling, general and administrative

858 

 

794 

  Research and development

290 

 

262 

  Other (income), net

(25)

 

(15)

 

1,580 

 

1,473 

Income before income taxes

826 

 

713 

Income taxes

198 

 

174 

Net Income

$ 628 

 

$ 539 

       

Diluted earnings per common share

$ .42 

 

$ .36 

       

Basic earnings per common share

$ .43 

 

$ .37 

       

Dividends per common share

$ .125 

 

$ .11 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions, except per share figures)

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

2000

 

1999

       

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,772 

 

$ 1,876 

  Accounts receivable, net

1,178 

 

1,022 

  Inventories

972 

 

958 

  Prepaid expenses, deferred income

     

    taxes and other current assets

1,015 

 

1,053 

       Total current assets

4,937 

 

4,909 

  Property, plant and equipment

4,444 

 

4,386 

  Less accumulated depreciation

1,480 

 

1,447 

        Property, net

2,964 

 

2,939 

  Intangible assets, net

605 

 

588 

  Other assets

984 

 

939 

 

$ 9,490 

 

$ 9,375 

       

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

     

  Accounts payable

$ 1,032 

 

$ 1,065 

  Short-term borrowings and current

     

    portion of long-term debt

650 

 

728 

  Other accrued liabilities

1,538 

 

1,416 

        Total current liabilities

3,220 

 

3,209 

  Long-term liabilities

1,027 

 

1,001 

  Shareholders' Equity

     

    Preferred shares - $1 par value

     

      each; issued - none

 

    Common shares - $.50 par value;

     

      issued:  2,030

1,015 

 

1,015 

     Paid-in capital

691 

 

675 

     Retained earnings

8,639 

 

8,196 

     Accumulated other comprehensive income

(259)

(233)

           Total

10,086 

 

9,653 

     Less treasury shares: 2000 - 566 shares;

1999 - 558 shares, at cost

4,843 

 

4,488 

        Total shareholders' equity

5,243 

 

5,165 

 

$ 9,490 

 

$ 9,375 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions)

 

2000

 

1999

       

Operating Activities:

     

  Net Income

$ 628 

 

$ 539 

  Depreciation and amortization

76 

 

72 

  Accounts receivable

(174)

 

(407)

  Inventories

(31)

 

(15)

  Prepaid expenses and other assets

31 

 

(28)

  Accounts payable and other liabilities

106 

 

(32)

  Net cash provided by operating activities

636 

 

129 

  

     

Investing Activities:

     

  Capital expenditures

(100)

 

(79)

  Purchases of investments

(40)

 

(52)

  Reduction of investments

 

200 

  Other, net

 

  Net cash (used for) provided by investing

     

    activities

(139)

 

72 

  

     

Financing Activities:

     

  Dividends paid to common shareholders

(184)

 

(163)

  Common shares repurchased

(355)

 

(153)

  Short-term borrowings, net

(73)

 

284 

  Other, net, primarily equity proceeds

12 

 

70 

  Net cash (used for) provided by financing

     

    activities

(600)

 

38 

    

     

Effect of exchange rates on cash and

     

  cash equivalents

(1)

 

(2)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and

     

  cash equivalents

(104)

 

237 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning

     

  of period

1,876 

 

1,259 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 1,772 

 

$ 1,496 

       

     

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in millions, except per share figures)

 

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The statements should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the operations for the interim periods presented.

 

Earnings Per Common Share

The shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share are reconciled as follows (number of shares in millions):

 

 

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
 

2000

1999

     

Average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

1,468 

1,472 

Dilutive effect of options and deferred stock units

11 

19 

Average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share

1,479 

1,491 

As of March 31, 2000, there were 9 million options outstanding with exercise prices higher than the average price of the Company's common stock. Accordingly, these options are not included in the dilutive effects indicated above.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 was $602 and $499, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories consisted of:

March 31,

December 31,

 

2000

1999

     

   Finished products

$ 413     

$ 437      

   Goods in process

287     

267      

   Raw materials and supplies

  272     

  254      

     Total inventories

$ 972     

$ 958      

     

 

Legal and Environmental Matters

The Company has responsibilities for environmental cleanup under various state, local and federal laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund. At several Superfund sites (or equivalent sites under state law), the Company is alleged to be a potentially responsible party (PRP). The Company estimates its obligations for cleanup costs for Superfund sites based on information obtained from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, an equivalent state agency, and/or studies prepared by independent engineers, and on the probable costs to be paid by other PRPs. The Company records a liability for environmental assessments and/or cleanup when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount can reasonably be estimated.

The Company is also involved in various other claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business, including product liability cases. The estimated costs the Company expects to pay in these cases are accrued when the liability is considered probable and the amount can reasonably be estimated. Consistent with trends in the pharmaceutical industry, the Company is self-insured for certain events.

The recorded liabilities for the above matters at March 31, 2000 and the related expenses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2000, were not material. Expected insurance recoveries have not been considered in determining the costs for environmental-related liabilities. Management believes that, except for the matters discussed in the following paragraphs, it is remote that any material liability in excess of the amounts accrued will be incurred.

Residents in the vicinity of a publicly-owned waste water treatment plant in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, have filed two lawsuits against the plant operator and numerous companies that discharge into the plant, including a subsidiary of the Company, for damages and injunctive relief relating to odors coming from the plant and

 

 

connecting sewers. One of these lawsuits is a class action claiming damages of $600. Both lawsuits are in the very early stages of discovery and it is not possible to predict the outcome.

The Company is a defendant in more than 110 antitrust actions commenced (starting in 1993) in state and federal courts by independent retail pharmacies, chain retail pharmacies and consumers. The plaintiffs allege price discrimination and/or conspiracy between the Company and other defendants to restrain trade by jointly refusing to sell prescription drugs at discounted prices to the plaintiffs.

One of the federal cases is a class action on behalf of approximately two-thirds of all retail pharmacies in the United States and alleges a price-fixing conspiracy. The Company agreed to settle the federal class action for a total of $22, which has been paid in full. The settlement provides, among other things, that the Company shall not refuse to grant discounts on brand-name prescription drugs to a retailer based solely on its status as a retailer and that, to the extent a retailer can demonstrate its ability to affect market share of a Company brand-name prescription drug in the same manner as a managed care organization with which the retailer competes, it will be entitled to negotiate similar incentives subject to the rights, obligations, exemptions and defenses of the Robinson-Patman Act and other laws and regulations. The United States District Court in Illinois approved the settlement of the federal class action in June 1996. In June 1997, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed all appeals from that settlement, and it is not subject to further review. The defendants that did not settle the class action proceeded to trial in September 1998. The trial ended in November 1998 with a directed verdict in the defendants' favor.

In April 1997, certain of the plaintiffs in the federal class action commenced another purported class action in United States District Court in Illinois against the Company and the other defendants who settled the previous federal class action. The complaint alleges that the defendants conspired not to implement the settlement commitments following the settlement discussed above. The District Court has denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction hearing.

The Company has settled all of the state retailer actions, except California and Alabama. The settlement amounts were not material to the Company. In addition, in June 1999, the Alabama Supreme Court reversed the denial of a motion for judgment on the pleadings in the Alabama retailer case. The court held that the Alabama antitrust law did not apply to conspiracies alleged to be in interstate commerce. Based on that ruling, the Alabama retailer case has been dismissed.

The Company has settled all of the state consumer cases, except Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and New Mexico. The settlement amounts were not material to the Company. A motion is pending to dismiss the Alabama consumer case based on the Alabama Supreme Court decision in the retailer case.

In May 1998, the Company settled six of the federal antitrust cases brought by 26 food and drug chain retailers and several independent retail stores. Plaintiffs in these cases comprise collectively approximately one-fifth of the prescription drug retail market. Also in 1999, the Company settled federal antitrust cases brought by independent pharmacists and small pharmacy chains comprising about 2 percent of the prescription drug retail market. The settlement amounts were not material to the Company.

Plaintiffs in these antitrust actions generally seek treble damages in an unspecified amount and an injunction against the allegedly unlawful conduct.

The Company believes all the antitrust actions are without merit and is defending itself vigorously.

In March 1996, the Company was notified that the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating whether the Company, along with other pharmaceutical companies, conspired to fix prescription drug prices. The investigation is ongoing. The Company believes that its actions have been lawful and proper and is cooperating in the investigation. However, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the investigation, which could result in the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive or administrative remedies.

In October 1999, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, concerning the Company's contracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and managed care organizations to provide disease management services in connection with the marketing of its pharmaceutical products. It appears that the subpoena is one of a number addressed to industry participants including PBMs, managed care organizations and manufacturers as a part of an inquiry into, among other things, marketing practices. The government's inquiry appears to focus on whether the Company's disease management and other marketing programs comply with federal health care laws and whether the value of its disease management programs should have been included in the calculation of rebates to the government. The Company believes that its disease management and other marketing programs have been designed to comply with the law and that its rebate calculations have properly excluded the value of its disease management programs. The Company is cooperating in the investigation. However, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the investigation, which could include the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive or administrative remedies. Nor can the Company predict whether the investigation will affect its marketing practices or sales.

In February 1998, Geneva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Geneva) submitted an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking to market a generic form of CLARITIN in the United States several years before the expiration of the Company's patents. Geneva has alleged that certain of the

 

Company's U.S. CLARITIN patents are invalid and unenforceable. The CLARITIN patents are material to the Company's business. In March 1998, the Company filed suit in federal court seeking a ruling that Geneva's ANDA submission constitutes willful infringement of the Company's patents and that its challenge to the Company's patents is without merit. The Company believes that it should prevail in the suit. However, as with any litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail.

During 1999, Copley Pharmaceutical, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novex Pharma and Zenith Goldline Pharmaceuticals individually notified the Company that each had submitted an ANDA to the FDA seeking to market certain generic forms of CLARITIN in the United States before the expiration of certain of the Company's patents, and early this year Andrx Pharmaceuticals, L.L.C. (Andrx) made a similar submission relating to CLARITIN-D 24 Hour tablets. Also, early this year, Mylan, Inc. (Mylan) made an ANDA submission concerning CLARITIN tablets. Each has alleged that one or more of those patents are invalid and unenforceable. In each case, except Mylan, the Company has filed suit in federal court seeking a ruling that the applicable ANDA submission and proposed marketing of a generic product constitute willful infringement of the Company's patent and that the challenge to the patent is without merit. The Company will file a similar suit against Mylan in federal court. The Company believes that it should prevail in these suits. However, as with any litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail.

In January 2000, Hoffman-La Roche Inc. filed actions against the Company in United States District Court in New Jersey and in France alleging that the Company's PEG-INTRON (peginterferon alfa-2b) infringes Hoffman-La Roche Inc.'s patents on certain pegylated interferons. The Company believes that it should prevail in these suits. However, as with any litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail.

The FTC has initiated an investigation of possible anticompetitive effects of the settlement of a patent litigation between the Company and ESI Lederle, Inc. (Lederle) relating to Lederle's generic version of K-DUR, the Company's long acting potassium chloride product. The investigation is ongoing. The Company believes that its actions have been lawful and proper and is cooperating in the investigation. However, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the investigation, which could result in the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive or administrative remedies.

 

 

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Schering-Plough Corporation:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Schering-Plough Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2000, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three-month period then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modification that should be made to such condensed consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

Parsippany, New Jersey

April 19, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations - three months ended March 31, 2000 compared with the corresponding period in 1999.

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter totaled $2.4 billion, an increase of $220 million or 10 percent compared with the same period in 1999. Excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, consolidated net sales grew 12 percent in the quarter. Based on the current weakness of most major European currencies, exchange rate fluctuations are expected to continue having a negative impact on year-to-year sales comparisons. Net sales in the United States increased 13 percent versus the first quarter of 1999 and advanced 6 percent internationally (11 percent excluding exchange).

Net sales by major therapeutic category for the first quarter were as follows ($ in millions):

 

 

2000

1999

 

%

Allergy & Respiratory

$ 956

$ 866

 

 10

Anti-infective & Anticancer

492

422

 

17

Dermatologicals

172

151

 

14

Cardiovasculars

183

160

 

14

Other Pharmaceuticals

214

204

 

   5

Animal Health

158

153

 

   3

Foot Care

93

83

 

 13

Over-the-Counter (OTC)

46

62

 

(26)

Sun Care

92

85

 

   9

Consolidated net sales

$2,406

$2,186

10

Worldwide net sales of allergy and respiratory products advanced 10 percent in the quarter. The increase was led by continued growth for the CLARITIN line of nonsedating antihistamines. Worldwide net sales of the CLARITIN brand totaled $665 million for the quarter, up 18 percent, as compared with $565 million for the corresponding period in 1999. The increase in the CLARITIN brand was due primarily to continued expansion in the antihistamine market. Franchise sales of nasal inhaled steroid products, which include NASONEX, a once-daily corticosteroid for allergic rhinitis and VANCENASE allergy products, increased in the first quarter of 2000 due to market expansion in the United States for NASONEX and its launch in several international markets. U.S. sales of the PROVENTIL (albuterol) line of asthma products declined $21 million as compared with the first quarter of 1999 due to manufacturing issues and continued generic competition. Sales of VANCERIL, an orally inhaled steroid for asthma, declined $19 million due to manufacturing issues and branded competition.

Net sales of worldwide anti-infective and anticancer products increased 17 percent. Growth was led by combined worldwide sales of INTRON A (interferon alfa-2b) and REBETRON Combination Therapy containing REBETOL (ribavirin) Capsules and INTRON A Injection, which totaled $336 million, up 23 percent from 1999. Sales of these products grew because of increased use in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and the launch of REBETOL in most major European markets. The U.S. and international launches of TEMODAR, a chemotherapy agent for treating certain types of brain tumors, also contributed to the increase in this therapeutic category's sales.

Dermatological products' worldwide net sales increased 14 percent in the first quarter due to fluctuations in U.S. trade buying patterns.

Worldwide net sales of cardiovascular products increased 14 percent in the quarter due to higher sales in the United States. Sales of K-DUR, a sustained-released potassium chloride supplement, increased due to favorable timing of trade purchases. Sales of INTEGRILIN, a platelet aggregation inhibitor for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, grew due to increased market penetration. Tempering this growth was lower sales of IMDUR, an oral nitrate for angina, due to continued generic competition.

Net sales of foot care products increased 13 percent driven by higher sales of DR. SCHOLL'S insoles, reflecting new product introductions.

OTC product sales decreased $16 million or 26 percent in the first quarter of 2000 due mainly to the fourth quarter 1999 sale of the PAAS product line and lower sales of certain cough and cold products.

First quarter sales of sun care products, including the newly acquired BAIN DE SOLEIL product line, were up 9 percent.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales decreased to 19.0 percent in the quarter from 19.8 percent in 1999 primarily due to favorable sales mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses represented 35.7 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2000 compared with 36.3 percent last year. The decrease in this ratio was the result of sales growth outpacing promotional spending, which remained consistent with the prior year. The Company continued the expansion of the sales force in major international markets to support the launches of new products and growth of current product lines.

Research and development spending rose 11 percent in the quarter representing 12.0 percent of sales in 2000 and 1999. The higher spending reflects the Company's funding of both internal research efforts and research collaborations with various partners to develop a steady flow of innovative products. The Company expects research and development spending for 2000 to increase by approximately 15 percent.

Income before income taxes increased 16 percent for the quarter compared with 1999, and represented 34.3 percent of sales versus 32.6 percent last year.

The effective tax rate was 24.0 percent in the three-month period of 2000 and 24.5 percent in 1999. The decrease was primarily due to increased sales of products manufactured in jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

Diluted earnings per common share advanced 17 percent in the first quarter to $.42 from $.36 in 1999. Foreign currency exchange rate changes had no impact on diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter of 2000. Basic earnings per common share advanced 16 percent to $.43 from $.37 for the same period.

Additional Factors Influencing Operations

In the United States, many of the Company's pharmaceutical products are subject to increasingly competitive pricing as managed care groups, institutions, government agencies and other buying groups seek price discounts. In most international markets, the Company operates in an environment of government-mandated cost containment programs. Several governments have placed restrictions on physician prescription levels and patient reimbursements, emphasized greater use of generic drugs and enacted across-the-board price cuts as methods of cost control.

Since the Company is unable to predict the final form and timing of any future domestic and international governmental or other health care initiatives, their effect on operations and cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. Similarly, the effect on operations and cash flows of decisions of managed care groups and other buying groups concerning formularies, pharmaceutical reimbursement policies and availability of the Company's pharmaceutical products cannot be reasonably estimated.

The market for pharmaceutical products is competitive. The Company's operations may be affected by technological advances of competitors, industry consolidation, patents granted to competitors, new products of competitors and generic competition as the Company's products mature. In addition, patent positions are increasingly being challenged by competitors, and the outcome can be highly uncertain. An adverse result in a patent dispute can preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect sales of existing products. The effect on operations of competitive factors and patent disputes cannot be predicted.

Uncertainties inherent in government regulatory approval processes, including, among other things, delays in approval of new products, may also affect the Company's operations. The effect on operations of regulatory approval processes cannot be predicted.

The Company is subject to the jurisdiction of various national, state and local regulatory agencies and is, therefore, subject to potential administrative actions. Of particular importance is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. It has jurisdiction over all the Company's businesses and administers requirements covering the testing, safety, effectiveness, approval, manufacturing, labeling and marketing of the Company's products. From time to time, agencies, including the FDA, may require the Company to address various manufacturing, advertising, labeling or other regulatory issues. Failure to comply with governmental regulations can result in delays in the release of products, seizure or recall of products, suspension or revocation of the authority necessary for the production and sale of products, fines and other civil or criminal sanctions.

From time to time, the Company has received Warning Letters from the FDA pertaining to various manufacturing issues. Among these, the Company has received a Warning Letter from the FDA relating specifically to manufacturing issues identified during FDA inspections of the Company's aerosol products (albuterol and VANCERIL) manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. The Company is implementing remedial actions at these facilities. The Company has met with the FDA on several occasions to apprise the agency of the scope and status of these activities. The Company cannot predict whether its remedial actions will resolve the FDA's concerns, whether the FDA will take any further action or the effect of this matter on the Company's operations.

Under certain circumstances, the Company may deem it advisable to initiate product recalls. In 1999, the Company voluntarily chose to initiate several recalls, including a recall of certain shipments of albuterol and VANCERIL manufactured at its New Jersey facilities. In the first quarter of 2000, the Company voluntarily expanded the recall to include shipments manufactured prior to September 30, 1999. The cost of the recall is not expected to have a significant impact on the financial results of the Company.

Liquidity and financial resources - three months ended March 31, 2000

Net income generated from operations continues to be the Company's major source of funds to finance working capital, shareholder dividends, common share repurchases and capital expenditures. Cash provided by operating activities was $636 million for the first three months of 2000, an increase of $507 million from 1999. This change is primarily due to an increase in net income and a reduction in the amount invested in working capital compared to 1999. This reduction was due to year-to-year changes in the timing of receipts and disbursements.

Cash was also used in the first quarter to fund capital expenditures of $100 million. The Company anticipates that capital expenditures will exceed $675 million in 2000.

In the first quarter of 2000, cash was used to repurchase shares for $355 million. In March 2000, the Company completed its $1 billion share repurchase program. Additionally, in March 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $1.5 billion of the Company's common shares. Cash was also used to pay shareholder dividends of $184 million in the first quarter of 2000. In April 2000, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 12 percent to $.14 from $.125 per common share.

The Company's liquidity and financial resources continue to be sufficient to meet its operating needs.

Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results

Management's discussion and analysis set forth above contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's financial position and results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations. Certain factors have been identified by the Company in Item 1 of the Company's December 31, 1999, Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. Item 1 from the Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 3. Market Risk Disclosures

As discussed in the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, the Company's exposure to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, in general, is not material.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, is incorporated by reference.

The FTC has initiated an investigation of possible anticompetitive effects of the settlement of a patent litigation between the Company and ESI Lederle, Inc. (Lederle) relating to Lederle's generic version of K-DUR, the Company's long acting potassium chloride product. The investigation is ongoing. The Company believes that its actions have been lawful and proper and is cooperating in the investigation. However, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the investigation, which could result in the imposition of fines, penalties and injunctive or administrative remedies.

Reference is made to the thirteenth paragraph of Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, relating to arbitration filed by Biogen, Inc. The Company prevailed in the arbitration. The arbitrators' decision is final and binding and cannot be appealed.

Reference is made to the fifteenth paragraph of Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, relating to CLARITIN patent litigation. Early this year, Mylan, Inc. (Mylan) submitted an ANDA concerning CLARITIN tablets. The Company will file a suit in federal court seeking a ruling that the applicable ANDA submission and proposed marketing of a generic product constitute willful infringement of the Company's patent and that Mylan's challenge to the Company's patent is without merit. The Company believes that it should prevail in this suit. However, as with any litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

(a) The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on April 25, 2000.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) The designation by the Board of Directors of Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit the books and accounts of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000 was ratified by a vote of shares as follows:

 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

1,237,225,156

1,955,296

4,432,636

 

   

Five nominees for director were elected for a three-year term and one director was elected for a one-year term by a vote of shares, as follows:

3-Year Term

 

FOR

WITHHELD

Robert P. Luciano

1,234,689,761

8,923,327

H. Barclay Morley

1,233,627,818

9,985,270

Carl E. Mundy, Jr.

1,234,414,565

9,198,523

Patricia F. Russo

1,235,170,885

8,442,203

Arthur F. Weinbach

1,234,671,843

8,941,245

 

1-Year Term

FOR

WITHHELD

Eugene R. McGrath

1,234,299,873

9,313,215

Voting on the proposal concerning pharmaceutical pricing was as follows:

 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

     

48,143,614

896,663,807

97,634,767

(d)    None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a) Exhibits - The following Exhibits are filed with this document:

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

15

27

99

  • Awareness letter
  • Financial Data Schedule
  • Company statement relating to forward looking information.

b) Reports on Form 8-K:

No report was filed during the three months ended March 31, 2000.

 

SIGNATURE(S)

 

 

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.

 

Schering-Plough Corporation

 

(Registrant)

   

Date    May 9, 2000

/s/Thomas H. Kelly

 

Thomas H. Kelly

Vice President and Controller

 

Exhibit 15

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Schering-Plough Corporation:

We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim financial information of Schering-Plough Corporation and subsidiaries for the periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, as indicated in our report dated April 19, 2000; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.

We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, is incorporated by reference in Registration Statements No. 2-83963, No. 33-19013, No. 33-50606, No. 333-30331 and No. 333-87077 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-853 on Form S-3, Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 2-84723 on Form S-8, Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 2-80012 on Form S-3, Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 2-77740 on Form S-3 and Registration Statements No. 333-12909 and No. 333-30355 on Form S-3.

We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.

 

/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

Parsippany, New Jersey

April 19, 2000

 

 

Exhibit 99

 

Company statement relating to forward looking information from press release by the Company dated February 24, 2000

(Filed pursuant to Rule 175).

 

 

Richard Jay Kogan, chairman and chief executive officer, said the Company is "on track to turn in another strong earnings performance in 2000." Earnings per share are projected to be in line with the current consensus of analysts' estimates of $1.64.