New York, March 22 (BridgeNews) - Watson Pharmaceuticals' chief operating officer, Fred Wilkinson, resigned from his position to become chief executive and president of Columbia Laboratories. Watson's chairman, chief executive and president, Allen Chao, will assume Wilkinson's duties until a replacement is found.

--Nicole Graves, BridgeNews

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The following is the text of today's announcement, with emphasis added by BridgeNews. BridgeStation users will find links to company data at the end:

Wilkinson Resigns From Watson

CORONA, Calif., March 22 -- WATSON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (NYSE: WPI) ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRED WILKINSON, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING, HAS RESIGNED FROM WATSON TO BECOME CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA LABORATORIES (AMEX: COB). ON AN INTERIM BASIS, OPERATIONS AND SALES AND MARKETING WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO DR. ALLEN CHAO, WATSON'S CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT.

"We have a solid and experienced management team in both operations and in our branded and generic sales and marketing divisions. Although we will miss Fred, we wish him well in his new position," said Dr. Chao.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to Watson's future business performance, which involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those detailed in Watson's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Corona, CA, is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of proprietary and off-patent pharmaceutical products.

This and past press releases of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are available at Watson's web site at www.watsonpharm.com. In addition, press releases are available through PR Newswire's Company On-Call fax service at 800-758-5804,

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