POWER OF ATTORNEY: KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned does
hereby constitute and appoint MARIAN E GUSTAFSON with full power to act, as his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, and to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his
behalf, to execute any and all documents and instruments, which said
attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to enable him to comply with
the reporting requirements pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to Form 4-Statement of
Changes in Beneficial Ownership and Form 5-Annual Statement of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership, relating to his ownership in Pharmaceutical Resources,
Inc. (the "Company") for the period October 1, 2003 through and including
September 30, 2004; and to file the same and all other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, The New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. and the Company, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all intents and purposes as the
undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that the said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.

/s/ Dennis J. O'Connor
October 15, 2003