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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Buf/ouSGbgvl2KgevVLVQs9FfjozJ6C+izt7/pixdFiAoQmsvzEFaP0RIYh4Gnfj
 PpumgngryqXlZ3PQAhe0SA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000898432-04-000512.txt : 20040528
<SEC-HEADER>0000898432-04-000512.hdr.sgml : 20040528
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040528174759
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000898432-04-000512
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040526
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040528

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITH JOSEPH E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001230617

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10827
		FILM NUMBER:		04839291

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 128
		STREET 2:		VILLAGE ROAD
		CITY:			NEW VERNON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07976
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9788890447

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000878088
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				223122182
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 TICE BOULEVARD
		CITY:			WOODCLIFF LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07677
		BUSINESS PHONE:		845-425-7100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 TICE BOULEVARD
		CITY:			WOODCLIFF LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07677

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PHARMACEUTICAL RESOURCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940526
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>josephsmith_form3ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-26</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001230617</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH JOSEPH E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 TICE BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WOODCLIFF LAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07699</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>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 agents
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 3 - Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership, Form 4 -
Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership and Form 5 - Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial
Ownership, relating to his ownership in Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (the &quot;Company&quot;) for the period
May 26, 2004 through and including May 25, 2005; 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 undesigned 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/ Joseph E. Smith Dated: May 27, 2004</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Marian E. Gustafson for Joseph E. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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