SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) Of
                    The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
     RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[_]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials
[X]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

                         ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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              (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    N/A
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  (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
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paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
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                 [Letterhead of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]

           Letter to Richard H. Koppes from ICN Pharmaceuticals

     Costa Mesa, CA, April 23, 2002 -- ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:ICN)
released the text of a letter,  set forth  below,  sent today to Richard H.
Koppes, one of ICN's three nominees for election to its board of directors.

Dear Mr. Koppes:

     We received your letter of April 22, 2002 and are glad you are willing
to serve as a director of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     While we differ  with you on the issue of which  candidates  will best
serve ICN at this time,  we accept that you will  advocate the candidacy of
Randy  Thurman,  Robert  O'Leary  and  yourself  and  advocate  against the
election of Senator Birch Bayh and Abraham Cohen as ICN directors.

     We take comfort from the fact that you have not  disavowed  your prior
promises to the Nominating Committee, that you will keep an open mind, that
you have no agreements or understandings with Iridian or Franklin, and that
if elected  as a  director  (which we hope you will be) you will act in the
best interests of all  stockholders.  In order to avoid any confusion as to
your activities in connection  with the upcoming annual meeting,  we intend
to publish your two letters in full in ICN's proxy statement.

Very truly yours,

Alan F. Charles
Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations
ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


ICN has filed a preliminary  proxy statement  relating to ICN's 2002 annual
meting of stockholders with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
19,  2002 and will  file with the SEC and  forward  to ICN  stockholders  a
definitive proxy  statement.  ICN stockholders are strongly advised to read
the  definitive  proxy  statement  when it  becomes  available,  as it will
contain  important  information.  Stockholders  may obtain the  preliminary
proxy statement and will be able to obtain the definitive  proxy statement,
when  available,  and any  amendments  to the  proxy  statement  and  other
documents  filed  by ICN  with  the SEC for  free at the  Internet  website
maintained  by the SEC at  www.sec.gov.  In  addition,  ICN  will  mail the
definitive  proxy statement to each stockholder of record on April 9, 2002.
ICN will also make additional  copies of the definitive proxy statement and
any  amendments to the  definitive  proxy  statement  available for free to
ICN's  stockholders.  Please direct your request for the  definitive  proxy
statement to Investor  Relations,  ICN  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc., 3300 Hyland
Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626,  telephone (714) 545-0100,  extension
3013.

ICN, its  executive  officers and  directors  and director  nominees may be
deemed to be  participants  in the  solicitation  of proxies for ICN's 2002
annual meeting of stockholders. Information regarding these participants is
contained in the  preliminary  proxy  statement filed with the SEC on April
19, 2002.

THE 'SAFE HARBOR' STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES  LITIGATION REFORM
ACT OF 1995. This press release  contains  forward-looking  statements that
involve risks and uncertainties,  including but not limited to, projections
of future sales,  operating income returns on invested  assets,  regulatory
approval  processes,  and  other  risks  detailed  from time to time in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.







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