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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                              [MEDICIS LETTERHEAD]


November 5, 1997


Michael A. Pietrangelo
9057 Forest Hill - Irene Cove
Germantown, TN 38139

Dear Mr. Pietrangelo:

This will confirm the agreement between Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation and
its affiliates ("Medicis" or the "Company") and Michael A. Pietrangelo
("Consultant") as to the terms and procedures of our relationship as set forth
below:

     1.   RELATIONSHIP

               Consultant shall assist and consult with the Company and
               representatives, employees and affiliates in areas relating to
               the pharmaceutical industries, and shall be available for
               consultation for a minimum of four hours per month, with the
               possibility of including his participation in certain meetings on
               a negotiated, per diem basis, and shall be prepared to travel at
               mutually convenient times to such reasonable places as may be
               required to consult with the Company.

     2.   TERM

               This agreement shall be in effect upon the signing by both
               parties and shall continue for a minimum of one year, unless
               earlier terminated by either party by giving the other at least
               ninety (90) days written notice. This agreement shall renew
               automatically for further years until, or unless, canceled upon
               30 days written notice.

     3.   FEES

               Consultant shall be paid $3,333 per month. Payments shall be paid
               semi-monthly through the Company's payroll administrator.

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Michael A. Pietrangelo
November 5, 1997
Page Two

4.   CONFIDENTIALITY

     Consultant understands that any information he receives from Medicis
     pertaining to its plans and purchases are proprietary and confidential and
     agrees to the terms and conditions of the Confidential Disclosure Agreement
     executed and attached as Exhibit A.

5.   INDEMNIFICATION

     a. Consultant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Medicis,
     including its officers, directors and employees, against any and all
     losses, claims, demands, suits, actions, judgments, awards, damages,
     liabilities, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees (and all actions in respect
     thereof and any reasonable expenses in giving testimony or furnishing
     documents in response to a subpoena or otherwise) including the costs or
     investigating, preparing or defending any such action or claim, whether or
     not in connection with litigation in which Medicis is a party (all the
     foregoing, hereinafter collectively referred to as "Liabilities"), directly
     or indirectly caused by, relating to, or asserted by a third party, based
     upon or arising out of the conduct or operation of the business of
     Consultant and the failure of Consultant to perform any term, condition, or
     obligation required by this agreement to be performed by Consultant.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not have any liability to
     Medicis for any Liabilities resulting primarily and directly from Medicis'
     negligence, willful misconduct, or any matter for which Consultant is
     indemnified by Medicis in paragraph "b," below.

     b. Medicis agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Consultant against
     any Liabilities, directly or indirectly caused by, relating to, or asserted
     by a third party, based upon or arising out of (a) Medicis' breach of this
     agreement; (b) the conduct or operation of the business of Medicis; (c) the
     failure of Medicis to perform any term, condition, or obligation required
     by this agreement to be performed by Medicis; or (c) any act or omission by
     Medicis in connection with its performance of its obligations under this
     agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Medicis shall not have any
     liability to Consultant for any Liabilities resulting primarily and
     directly from Consultant's negligence, willful misconduct, or any matter
     for which Medicis is indemnified by Consultant in paragraph "a," above.
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Michael A. Pietrangelo
November 5, 1997
Page Three


          c. With regard to the indemnification provisions provided for herein,
          the indemnitor shall assume the defense of any claim or suit and
          shall, upon the indemnitee's request, afford the latter the
          opportunity, at its own cost and expense, to cooperate in the defense
          thereof. Cancellation or expiration of this agreement shall not affect
          any obligation of any indemnitor, which shall be a continuing
          obligation.

If the foregoing meets with your understanding and approval, please so indicate
by executing this agreement in the place below and return one copy to my
attention.

Sincerely,



Mark A. Prygocki, Sr.
Chief Financial Officer



ACCEPTED:


/s/ Michael A. Pietrangelo                   /s/ Mark A. Prygocki, Sr.
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MICHAEL A. PIETRANGELO                      MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION


Date: 11/10/97                               Date:
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