Exhibit 99.1

MEDICIS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—May 8, 2012—

First Quarter 2012 Highlights

Medicis (NYSE:MRX) today announced revenues of approximately $201.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to revenues of approximately $164.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents an increase of approximately $36.8 million, or approximately 22.3%.

Non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP, defined below) diluted cash earnings per share (EPS, defined below) for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was $0.60, compared to non-GAAP diluted cash EPS of $0.55 for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents an increase of $0.05 per diluted share, or approximately 9.5% (see “Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments” in the financial tables of this press release). GAAP diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was $0.09, compared to GAAP diluted EPS of $0.30 for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents a decrease of $0.21 per diluted share, or approximately 69.3%.

The Company’s achievement of approximately $201.7 million in revenues and non-GAAP diluted cash EPS of $0.60 compares favorably to the Company’s published guidance of $177-$188 million in revenues and $0.37-$0.43 in non-GAAP diluted cash EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

“We are pleased to announce a strong first quarter,” said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. “The recent launch of ZYCLARA^® marked our entrance into the important actinic keratosis market, a segment of dermatology in which we have long wanted to compete. Additionally, we experienced an encouraging response to our alternate fulfillment initiatives, which contributed to the quarter’s exceptional success. We are enthusiastic about the consistently strong performance of our aesthetics brands. As we look to the second quarter, we remain focused on the successful launch of ZYCLARA, continued growth of our primary brands and progression of our alternate fulfillment initiatives.”

Acne Products

Medicis recorded revenues of approximately $108.5 million from sales of its acne products for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to revenues of approximately $103.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents an increase of approximately $5.0 million, or approximately 4.9%. This increase includes the financial benefit from the Company’s alternate fulfillment initiatives and the corresponding reduction in customer rebates, partially offset by an increase in managed care rebates related to the Company’s previously announced multi-year contracting strategy, which resulted in increased net sales of SOLODYN^® and ZIANA^®.

The Medicis Acne Products category includes primarily SOLODYN and ZIANA.

Non-Acne Products

Medicis recorded revenues of approximately $74.0 million associated with its non-acne products for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to revenues of approximately $52.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents an increase of approximately $21.8 million, or approximately 41.7%. This increase is due primarily to increased sales of the RESTYLANE^® franchise, ZYCLARA in the United States and ALDARA^® in Canada.

The Company acquired ZYCLARA and ALDARA in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Medicis Non-Acne Products category includes primarily DYSPORT^®, PERLANE^®, RESTYLANE, VANOS^® and ZYCLARA.

Other Non-Dermatological Products

Medicis recorded revenues of approximately $19.2 million associated with its other non-dermatological products for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to revenues of approximately $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which represents an increase of approximately $10.0 million, or approximately 108.5%. This increase is due primarily to increased sales of the MAXAIR^® AUTOHALER^® in the U.S. and QVAR^® in Canada.

The Company acquired the MAXAIR AUTOHALER and QVAR (in Canada only) in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Medicis Other Non-Dermatological Products category includes primarily AMMONUL^®, BUPHENYL^®, the MAXAIR AUTOHALER and contract revenue.

Other Income Statement Items

Gross profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was approximately 89.6%.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was approximately $103.4 million, or approximately 51.3% of revenues, compared to approximately $84.6 million, or approximately 51.3% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2011. SG&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012, includes a $3.7 million charge related to additional expenses from fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs). SG&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011, included a $1.8 million charge related to additional expenses from fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s SARs.

Research and development (R&D) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was approximately $51.8 million, compared to approximately $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. R&D expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012, includes purchased R&D charges

totaling $39.0 million associated with upfront and milestone payments to Medicis partners and a $0.3 million charge related to additional expenses from fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s SARs. R&D expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011, included a $7.0 million purchased R&D charge associated with a milestone payment to a Medicis partner and a $0.2 million charge related to additional expenses from fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s SARs.

Cash Flow

The Company’s cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was approximately $34.9 million, which reflects the impact of $11.5 million associated with upfront payments made in the quarter to Medicis partners.

2012 Guidance

Based upon information available currently to the Company’s management, the Company’s financial guidance for the remainder of 2012 is as follows:

Calendar 2012

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Additional 2012 Guidance Considerations

Revenue and non-GAAP diluted cash EPS objectives include certain assumptions associated with:

The above guidance does not take into account the following:

At the time of this disclosure, Medicis believes these objectives are attainable based upon information currently available to the Company’s management.

Diluted Earnings Per Share

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated using the “if-converted” method of accounting regardless of whether the Company’s outstanding convertible bonds meet the criteria for conversion and regardless of whether the bondholders actually convert their bonds into shares.

Non-GAAP Diluted Cash Earnings Per Share

Historically, the Company’s non-GAAP diluted EPS amounts have been calculated excluding certain items, such as R&D charges which result from payments made to Medicis partners, transaction costs, fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s SARs (beginning in 2011), the impairment of long-lived assets, gains resulting from the sale of subsidiaries, charges related to the accounting for our investment in Revance or Hyperion and litigation reserves.

Non-GAAP diluted cash EPS excludes amortization in addition to all of the items identified in the paragraph above.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Company provides non-GAAP financial information in this press release. Management measures the Company’s performance using non-GAAP financial measures, such as those that are disclosed in this press release, to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its operational performance and to enhance its investors’ overall understanding of its core financial performance. This information facilitates management’s internal comparisons to the Company’s historical core operating results and competitors’ core operating results, and is a basis for financial decision making. Management believes that Medicis’ investors benefit from seeing the Company’s results on the same basis as management, in addition to the GAAP presentation, where applicable. In our view, non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP diluted cash EPS, which are based on non-GAAP net income as defined below, are informative to investors, allowing them to focus on the ongoing operations and core results of Medicis’ business. Historically, Medicis has provided similar non-GAAP information to its investors and believes that the use of such numbers provides consistency in the Company’s financial disclosures. This information is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, information prepared using GAAP. Non-GAAP net income excludes certain items, such as R&D charges which result from payments made to Medicis partners, transaction costs, amortization (for calculation of diluted cash EPS only), fluctuations in the Company’s stock price and the resulting effect on the Company’s SARs (beginning in 2011), the impairment of long-lived assets, gains resulting from the sale of subsidiaries, charges related to the accounting for our investment in Revance or Hyperion and litigation reserves. These items may have a

material effect on the Company’s net income and diluted earnings per common share calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company excludes such charges and the related tax benefits when analyzing its financial results, as the items are distinguishable events or large non-cash expenses related to intangibles. Management believes that, by viewing the Company’s results of operations excluding these charges, investors are given an indication of the ongoing results of the Company’s operations.

About Medicis

Medicis is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological and aesthetic conditions. The Company is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic and aesthetic categories. The Company’s products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and cosmetic elegance.

For more information about Medicis or the Company’s products, please visit the Company’s website at www.Medicis.com. Printed copies of the Company’s complete audited financial statements are available free of charge upon request.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can be given, however, that these activities, events or developments will occur or that such results will be achieved. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company’s business is subject to all risk factors outlined in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At the time of this press release, the Company cannot, among other things, assess the likelihood, timing or forthcoming results of R&D projects, the risks associated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process and risks associated with significant competition within the Company’s industry, nor can the Company validate its assumptions of the full impact on its business of the approval of competitive generic versions of the Company’s primary brands, and any future competitive product approvals that may affect the Company’s brands.

Additionally, Medicis may acquire businesses or acquire and/or license products or technologies from third parties to enter into new strategic markets. The Company periodically makes up-front, non-refundable payments to third parties for R&D work that has been completed and periodically makes additional non-refundable payments for the achievement of various milestones. There can be no certainty about the periods in which these potential payments could be made, nor if any payments such as these will be made at all. Any estimated future guidance does not include, among other things, the potential payments associated with any such transactions.

There are a number of additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to:

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Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of the Company’s management as of the date of this release, and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak as of the date hereof.

NOTE: Full prescribing information for any of the Company’s prescription products is available by contacting the Company. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation

Summary Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation

Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Earnings and Diluted Earnings Per Share

(in thousands, except per share data)

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation

Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

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