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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                             STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

                  THIS STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") dated December
20, 2002 from HALSEY DRUG CO., INC., a New York corporation (the "PLEDGOR"),
GALEN PARTNERS III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("GALEN"), acting in
its capacity as agent for the Purchasers, as hereinafter defined (the "AGENT" or
the "PLEDGEE") for the benefit of the Purchasers.

                  WHEREAS, the Pledgor is entering into a Debenture Purchase
Agreement dated as of December 20, 2002 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") with various
purchasers, including the Agent (collectively, the "PURCHASERS"); and

                  WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of
the Purchase Agreement that the Pledgor shall have executed this Agreement and
made the pledges referred to herein in favor of the Pledgee, for the ratable
benefit of the Purchasers, as contemplated hereby.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce
the Purchasers and the Pledgee to enter into the Purchase Agreement, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Pledgor hereby agrees with the Pledgee as follows:

                  1.       Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires,
all terms used but not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to
them in the Purchase Agreement, or, if they are not defined in the Purchase
Agreement, but are defined in the New York Uniform Commercial Code (the "CODE"),
they shall have the same meaning herein as in the Code.

                  2.       Pledge of the Pledged Stock; Power of Attorney.

                  (a)      As security for the prompt payment and performance
when due of the obligations owing by the Pledgor to the Purchasers under the
Purchase Agreement, the Debentures, the other Transaction Documents (as defined
in the Subordination Agreement) and under the agreements, documents and
instruments delivered by the Pledgor pursuant thereto or in connection therewith
(collectively, the "OBLIGATIONS"), the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Pledgee,
for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers, and grants to the Pledgee, for the
ratable benefit of the Purchasers, a lien on and security interest having
priority over any and all other security interests (except as otherwise provided
in the Subordination Agreement), in the following (collectively the "PLEDGED
COLLATERAL"): (i) all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of
Houba, Inc. ("HOUBA" or a "SUBSIDIARY") and Halsey Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("HPI"
or a "SUBSIDIARY" and together with Houba, the "SUBSIDIARIES") which shares are
more particularly described on Schedule A attached hereto (the "PLEDGED STOCK"),
(ii) all additional shares of common stock at any time issued to the Pledgor by
Houba or HPI, (iii) the certificates evidencing all Pledged Collateral, (iv)
subject to Section 6 hereof, all dividends, cash, securities, investment
property, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable
or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the
Pledged Stock and such shares and securities and (v) all proceeds of any and all
Pledged Collateral

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(including, without limitation, proceeds constituting any property of the types
described above). The Pledgor shall deliver to the Pledgee original stock
certificates for all of the Pledged Stock, each accompanied by an undated stock
power executed in blank by the Pledgor.

                  (b)      The Pledgee shall have no obligation with respect to
the Pledged Collateral or any other property held or received by it hereunder
except to use reasonable care in the custody thereof. The Pledgee may hold the
Pledged Collateral in the form in which it is received by it.

                  (c)      The Pledgor, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
hereby constitutes and irrevocably appoints the Pledgee (and any officer or
agent of the Pledgee, with full power of substitution and revocation) as the
Pledgor's true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in the Pledgor's stead and in the
name of the Pledgor or in the name of the Pledgee, to transfer, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or at any time the
Pledgee, based on all the facts and circumstances then existing, and in the
exercise of its commercially reasonable credit judgment, reasonably believes,
and has so notified the Pledgor in writing, that, in connection with the
Purchase Agreement and the agreements, documents and instruments delivered by
the Pledgor pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, fraud has occurred with
respect to the Pledgor or any other Person (for the purposes of this Agreement,
the term "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, trust or any other entity or organization, including a
government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof,
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Pledgor which has a
material adverse effect on the operations or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Pledgor and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "FRAUD"), the Pledged
Collateral on the books of Houba and HPI, as applicable, in whole or in part, to
the name of the Pledgee or such other Person or Persons as the Pledgee may
designate and, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default or at any time the Pledgee, based on all the facts and circumstances
then existing, and in the exercise of its commercially reasonable credit
judgment, reasonably believes, and has so notified the Pledgor in writing, that
Fraud has occurred, to take all such other and further actions as the Pledgor
could have taken with respect to the Pledged Collateral which the Pledgee in its
reasonable judgment determines to be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement.

                  (d)      The powers of attorney granted pursuant to this
Agreement and all authority hereby conferred are granted and conferred solely to
protect the Pledgee's interests in the Pledged Collateral and shall not impose
any duty upon the attorney-in-fact to exercise such powers. Such powers of
attorney shall be irrevocable prior to the payment in full of the Obligations,
and, shall not be terminated prior thereto or affected by any act of the Pledgor
or other Persons or by operation of law. The foregoing power of attorney, being
coupled with an interest, is irrevocable so long as any Obligation remains
outstanding.

                  (e)      Except to the extent that the Pledgee releases its
pledge of any of the Pledged Collateral, each Person who shall be a transferee
of the beneficial ownership of any of the Pledged Collateral shall be deemed to
have irrevocably appointed the Pledgee, with full power of substitution and
revocation, as such Person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact in such Person's
name and otherwise to do any and all acts herein permitted and to exercise any
and all powers herein conferred; provided, however, no Person shall exercise any
such power of attorney unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or from and after such time as such Person has notified the Pledgor
in

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writing that based on all the facts and circumstances then existing, and in the
exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment, such Person reasonably
believes that Fraud has occurred.

                  3.       Rights of the Pledgor; Voting.

                  (a)      During the term of this Agreement and subject to the
Subordination Agreement, and so long as the Pledgor has not received a Voting
Notice (as defined below) from the Pledgee following (i) the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default or (ii) from and after such time
as the Pledgee determines that based on all the facts and circumstances then
existing, and in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment, the
Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has occurred, the Pledgor shall have the
right to vote any of the Pledged Collateral in all corporate matters except
those which would contravene this Agreement, the Purchase Agreement or any of
the agreements, documents and instruments delivered by the Pledgor and each
Subsidiary pursuant thereto unless the Pledgee consents in writing thereto.

                  (b)      Subject to the Subordination Agreement, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or from and after
such time as the Pledgee has notified the Pledgor in writing that based on all
the facts and circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of its
commercially reasonable judgment, Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has
occurred, the Pledgor shall give the Pledgee at least fifteen (15) days' prior
notice of (i) any meeting of stockholders of any of the Subsidiaries or any
meeting of directors of any of the Subsidiaries convened for any purpose and
(ii) any written consent which the Pledgor proposes to execute as the
stockholder of any of the Subsidiaries or which any of the representatives of
the Pledgor proposes to execute as a director of any of the Subsidiaries.
Subject to the Subordination Agreement, during the continuance of an Event of
Default and from and after such time as the Pledgee determines that based on all
the facts and circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of its
commercially reasonable judgment, the Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has
occurred, the Pledgor hereby authorizes the Pledgee to send its agents and
representatives to any such meeting of shareholders or directors of any of the
Subsidiaries that the Pledgee wishes to attend, and agrees to take such steps as
may be necessary to confirm and effectuate such authority, including, without
limitation, causing such Subsidiary to give reasonable prior written notice to
the Pledgee of the time and place of any such meeting and the principal actions
to be taken thereat.

                  (c)      Notwithstanding the occurrence of an Event of Default
or the determination by the Pledgee that based on all the facts and
circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of its commercially reasonable
judgment, the Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has occurred, and subject
to the Subordination Agreement, the Pledgor may continue to exercise the voting
rights of the Pledgor as herein described (and subject to the limitations
herein) except to the extent that the Pledgee elects to exercise voting power
(as determined by it in its sole discretion) by providing written notice to the
Pledgor at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default or from and
after such time as the Pledgee has determined that based on all the facts and
circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of its commercially reasonable
judgment, the Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has occurred (a "VOTING
NOTICE"), whereupon the Pledgee shall have the exclusive right during the
continuance of an Event of Default and after the Pledgee's determination of
Fraud to exercise such rights to the extent specified in such Voting Notice, and
the Pledgor shall take all such steps as may be necessary to effectuate such
rights until the Pledgee notifies the Pledgor

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in writing of the release of such rights. Once any such Event of Default has
been cured or waived and such cure or waiver is confirmed by the Pledgee to the
Pledgor in writing, any relevant Voting Notice shall be deemed to be rescinded.

                  4.       No Restrictions on Transfer. The Pledgor warrants and
represents that except as provided pursuant to (a) that certain Stock Pledge
Agreement dated March 10, 1998 between the Company and the investors in the
March 1998 Debentures, (b) that certain Stock Pledge Agreement dated May 26,
1999 between the Company and the investors in the May 1999 Debentures and (c)
that certain Stock Pledge Agreement by and between the Company and Watson, dated
as of March 29, 2000, there are no restrictions on the transfer of the Pledged
Stock except for such restrictions imposed by operation of law, that there are
no options, warrants or rights pertaining thereto, and that the Pledgor has the
right to transfer the Pledged Stock free of any encumbrances and without the
consent of the creditors of the Pledgor or the consent of any of the
Subsidiaries or any other Person or any governmental agency whatsoever.

                  5.       No Transfer or Liens; Additional Securities. The
Pledgor agrees that it will not sell, transfer or convey any interest in, or
suffer or permit any lien or encumbrance to be created upon or with respect to,
any of the Pledged Collateral during the term of this Agreement, except to or in
favor of the Pledgee, or as agreed to in writing advance by the Pledgee in
accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Subordination
Agreement. The Pledgor shall not cause, suffer or permit any Subsidiary to issue
any common or preferred stock, or any other equity security or any other
instruments convertible into equity securities, to any Person, unless the
Pledgee otherwise consents in writing (which consent may be withheld in the
Pledgee's reasonable credit judgment).

                  6.       Adjustments of Capital Stock; Payment and Application
of Dividends. Subject to the Subordination Agreement and the Debentureholders
Agreement, in the event that during the term of this Agreement any stock
dividend, reclassification, readjustment or other change is declared or made in
the capital structure of any Subsidiary or if any other or additional shares of
stock of any Subsidiary are issued to the Pledgor, all new, substituted and
additional shares or other securities issued by reason of any such change or
acquisition shall immediately be delivered by the Pledgor to the Pledgee and
shall be deemed to be part of the "Pledged Collateral" under the terms of this
Agreement in the same manner as the shares of capital stock originally pledged
hereunder. Subject to the Subordination Agreement and the Debentureholders
Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
and from and after such time as the Pledgee determines that based on all the
facts and circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of its commercially
reasonable judgment, the Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud has occurred,
all cash dividends received by or payable to the Pledgor in respect of the
Pledged Collateral, including any additional shares of stock or Investment
Property received by the Pledgor as a result of the Pledgor's record ownership
of the Pledged Stock, shall immediately be delivered by the Pledgor to the
Pledgee, to be held by the Pledgee as Pledged Collateral hereunder or to be
applied by the Pledgee against the Obligations. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default or from and after such time as the
Pledgee determines that based on all the facts and circumstances then existing,
and in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment, the Pledgee
reasonably believes that Fraud has occurred, the Pledgor will not demand and
will not be entitled to receive, any cash dividends or other income, interest or
property in or with respect to the Pledged Collateral, and if the

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Pledgor receives any of the same, the Pledgor shall immediately deliver it to
the Pledgee to be held by it and applied as provided in the preceding sentence.

                  7.       Warrants and Options. In the event that during the
term of this Agreement subscription warrants or other rights or options shall be
issued to the Pledgor in connection with the Pledged Collateral, all such stock
warrants, rights and options shall forthwith be assigned to the Pledgee by the
Pledgor, and said stock warrants, rights and options shall be, and, if exercised
by the Pledgor, all new stock issued pursuant thereto shall be, pledged by the
Pledgor to the Pledgee to be held as, and shall be deemed to be part of, the
Pledged Collateral under the terms of this Agreement in the same manner as the
shares of capital stock originally pledged hereunder.

                  8.       Return of Pledged Collateral Upon Termination. Upon
the Security Interest Termination Date and the termination of the Purchase
Agreement, the Pledgee shall cause to be transferred or returned to the Pledgor
all of the stock pledged by the Pledgor herein and any money, property and
rights received by the Pledgee pursuant hereto, to the extent the Pledgee has
not taken, sold or otherwise realized upon the same as permitted hereunder,
together with all other documents reasonably required by the Pledgor to evidence
termination of the pledge contemplated hereby.

                  9.       Events of Default; Remedies.

                  (a)      Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default and from and after such time as the Pledgee determines that
based on all the facts and circumstances then existing, and in the exercise of
its commercially reasonable judgment, the Pledgee reasonably believes that Fraud
has occurred, subject to the Subordination Agreement, the Pledgee shall have and
at any time may exercise with respect to the Pledged Collateral, the proceeds
thereof, and any other property or money held by the Pledgee hereunder, all
rights and remedies available to it under law, including, without limitation,
those given, allowed or permitted to a secured party by or under the Code, and
all rights and remedies provided for herein and in the Purchase Agreement.

                  (b)      Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the
Pledgee elects to sell the Pledged Stock (such term including, for purposes of
this Section 9, the Pledged Stock and all other shares of stock or securities at
any time forming part of the Pledged Collateral), the Pledgee shall have the
power and right in connection with any such sale, exercisable at its option and
in its absolute discretion, to sell, assign, and deliver the whole or any part
of the Pledged Stock or any additions thereto at a private or public sale for
cash, on credit or for future delivery and at such price as the Pledgee deems to
be satisfactory. Notice of any public sale shall be sufficient if it describes
the Pledged Collateral to be sold in general terms, and is published at least
once in The New York Times not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of
sale. If The New York Times is not then being published, publication may be made
in lieu thereof in any newspaper then being circulated in the City of New York,
New York, as the Pledgee may elect. All requirements of reasonable notice under
this Section 9 shall be met if such notice is mailed, postage prepaid at least
ten (10) days before the time of such sale or disposition, to the Pledgor at its
address set forth in Section 16 hereof or such other address as the Pledgor may
have, in writing, provided to the Pledgee. The Pledgee may, if it deems it
reasonable, postpone or adjourn any sale of any collateral from time to time by
an announcement at the time and place of the sale to be so postponed or
adjourned without being required to give a new notice of sale.

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                  (c)      Because federal and state securities laws may
restrict the methods of disposition of the Pledged Stock which are readily
available to the Pledgee, and specifically because a public sale thereof may be
impossible or impracticable by reason of certain restrictions under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under applicable Blue Sky or other state
securities laws as now or hereafter in effect, the Pledgor agrees that the
Pledgee may from time to time attempt to sell the Pledged Stock by means of a
private placement restricting the offering or sale to a limited number of
prospective purchasers who meet suitability standards the Pledgee deems
appropriate and who agree that they are purchasing for their own accounts for
investment and not with a view to distribution, and the Pledgee's acceptance of
the highest offer obtained therefrom shall be deemed to be a commercially
reasonable disposition of the Pledged Stock. To the extent permitted by law, the
Pledgee or its assigns may purchase all or any part of the Pledged Stock and any
purchaser thereof shall thereafter hold the same absolutely free from any right
or claim of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Pledgee shall
not be obligated to make any such sale pursuant to notice and may, without
notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale by announcement at the
time and place fixed for the sale, and such sale may be held at any time or
place to which the same may be adjourned. If any of the Pledged Stock is sold by
the Pledgee upon credit or for future delivery, the Pledgee shall not be liable
for the failure of the purchaser to pay for same and, in such event, the Pledgee
may resell such Pledged Stock and the Pledgor shall continue to be liable to the
Pledgee for the full amount of the Obligations to the extent the Pledgee does
not receive full and final payment in cash therefor.

                  (d)      Except as otherwise provided in the Purchase
Agreement or by applicable law, the Pledgee shall have the sole right to
determine the order in which Obligations shall be deemed discharged by the
application of the proceeds of Pledged Stock or any other property or money held
hereunder or any amount realized thereon.

                  10.      Certain Representations and Warranties. The Pledgor
represents and warrants to the Pledgee that:

                  (a)      All shares of Pledged Stock are fully paid, duly and
         properly issued, nonassessable and owned by the Pledgor free and clear
         of any lien or encumbrance of any kind whatsoever, excepting those
         herein granted to the Pledgee and those granted to the investors in the
         March 1998 Debentures, the May 1999 Debentures and Watson. The Pledged
         Stock constitutes all of the outstanding securities of any class or
         kind of all of the Subsidiaries.

                  (b)      Except in the case of the liens granted to the
         investors in the March 1998 Debentures, May 1999 Debentures and Watson,
         no effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect
         covering all or any part of the Pledged Collateral is on file in any
         recording office.

                  (c)      The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this
         Agreement creates a valid and perfected first-priority security
         interest, in accordance with and subject to the Subordination
         Agreement, securing the payment of the Obligations, and all filings and
         other actions necessary or desirable to perfect and protect such
         security interest having been duly made or taken.

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                  (d)      No authorization, approval or other action by, and no
         notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
         is required for (i) the pledge by the Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral
         pursuant to this Agreement, the grant by the Pledgor of the assignment
         or security interest granted hereby or the execution, delivery or
         performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor, (ii) the perfection of or
         exercise by the Pledgee of its rights and remedies provided for in this
         Agreement, or (iii) the exercise by the Pledgee of the voting or other
         rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the
         Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement (except as may be
         required in connection with a judicial foreclosure, if applicable, or
         the disposition of the Pledged Stock by laws affecting the offering and
         sale of securities generally).

                  (e)      The Pledgor has full right, power and authority to
         enter into this Agreement and to grant the security interest in the
         Pledged Collateral made hereby, and this Agreement constitutes the
         legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pledgor enforceable against
         the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability
         thereof may be (i) limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors'
         rights generally, and (ii) subject to general principles of equity
         (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
         proceeding in equity or at law).

                  (f)      The execution, delivery and performance by the
         Company of this Agreement will not result in any violation, conflict
         with, or result in a breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a
         default under, any agreements, contracts, court orders or consent
         decrees, the Certificates of Incorporation or the By-laws, as amended,
         of the Company.

                  11.      Indemnity and Expenses.

                  (a)      The Pledgor agrees to and hereby indemnifies the
Pledgee and each of the Purchasers from and against any and all claims, actions,
damages, losses, liabilities and expenses arising out of, or in connection with,
or resulting from this Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement of
this Agreement) unless resulting from or arising out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Pledgee or such Purchaser.

                  (b)      The Pledgor agrees promptly upon the Pledgee's or
such Purchaser's demand to pay or reimburse the Pledgee or such Purchaser for
all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Pledgee or such Purchaser in
connection with (i) any modification or amendment to or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement requested by the Pledgor, (ii) the custody or preservation of
the Pledged Collateral, (iii) any actual or attempted sale or exchange of, or
any enforcement, collection, compromise or settlement respecting, the Pledged
Collateral or any other property or money held hereunder or any other action
taken by the Pledgee or such Purchaser hereunder reasonably necessary to enforce
its rights, whether directly or as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the power of
attorney herein conferred, or (iv) the failure by the Pledgor to perform or
observe any of the provisions hereof. All such expenses shall be deemed a part
of the Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement and the Pledgee may apply
the Pledged Collateral or any other property or money held hereunder to payment
of or reimbursement for such expenses after notice and demand to the Pledgor.

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                  12.      Pledgee May Perform. If the Pledgor fails to perform
any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement required to be performed by
it contained herein, the Pledgee may, but shall not be obligated to, perform, or
cause performance of, such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement, and
the out-of-pocket expenses of the Pledgee incurred in connection therewith shall
be payable by the Pledgor.

                  13.      Waivers and Amendment. The rights and remedies given
hereby are in addition to all others however arising, but it is not intended
that any right or remedy be exercised in any jurisdiction in which such exercise
would be prohibited by law. No action, failure to act or knowledge of the
Pledgee shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any power, right or remedy
hereunder, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy. Any right
or power of the Pledgee hereunder in respect of the Pledged Collateral and any
other property or money held hereunder may at the option of the Pledgee be
exercised as to all or any part of the same and the term the "Pledged
Collateral" wherever used herein, unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
shall be deemed to mean (and shall be read as) "the Pledged Collateral and any
other property or money held hereunder or any part thereof." This Agreement
shall not be amended nor shall any right hereunder be deemed waived except by a
written agreement expressly setting forth the amendment or waiver and signed by
the Pledgee.

                  14.      Continuing Security Interest; Assignments of Secured
Debt. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest having priority
over any and all security interests (except as otherwise provided in the
Subordination Agreement) in the Pledged Collateral and shall (a) remain in full
force and effect until the Security Interest Termination Date, (b) be binding
upon the Pledgor, and the Pledgor's successors and assigns, and upon each of the
Subsidiaries, and their successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of the Pledgee and the Purchasers hereunder, to the benefit
of the Pledgee, its successors and permitted assigns. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing clause (c), the Pledgee may assign or otherwise
transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
to any other person or entity, to the extent and in the manner provided in the
Purchase Agreement and the Subordination Agreement and such other person or
entity shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect hereof
granted to the Pledgee herein; the Pledgee shall, however, retain all of its
rights and powers with respect to any part of the Pledged Collateral not
transferred. Any agent or nominee of the Pledgee shall have the benefit of this
Agreement as if named herein and may exercise all the rights and powers given to
the Pledgee hereunder.

                  15.      Governing Law; Suits.

                  (a)      This Agreement and the rights of the parties
hereunder shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York
wherein the terms of this Agreement were negotiated, excluding to the greatest
extent permitted by law any rule of law that would cause the application of the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

                  (b)      Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of any New York State court or United States Federal court sitting
in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or
proceeding arising our of or relating to this Agreement or any of the other
Transaction Documents

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to which it is a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and
each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all
claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined
in any such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in
such United States Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final
judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the right that any party may
otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or
any of the other Transaction Documents in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

                  (c)      Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do
so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or in relation to this Agreement
or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party in any such New York
State or United States Federal court sitting in New York City. Each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.

                  16.      Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing
(except only as otherwise provided in Section 13) and shall be conclusively
deemed to have been received and shall be effective (a) on the day on which
delivered if delivered personally (including delivery by courier or overnight
mail providing evidence of delivery), or transmitted by telex or telegram or
telecopier with transmission confirmed, or (b) five (5) days after the date on
which the same is deposited in the United States mail (certified or registered
if required under Section 15), with postage prepaid and properly addressed, and
any notice mailed shall be addressed:

                           (a)      in the case of the Pledgor, to:

                                    Halsey Drug Co., Inc.
                                    695 N. Perryville Road
                                    Rockford, Illinois 61107
                                    Telecopier No.: (815) 399-9710

                                    with copies to:

                                    St. John & Wayne
                                    2 Penn Plaza East
                                    Newark, New Jersey 07105
                                    Attention:  John P. Reilly, Esq.
                                    Telephone No.:   (973) 491-3600
                                    Telecopier No.:  (973) 491-3555

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                           (b)      in the case of the Pledgee, to:

                                    Galen Partners III, L.P.
                                    610 Fifth Avenue, Fifth Floor
                                    New York, NY 10020
                                    Telecopier No.: (212) 218-4999
                                    Attention: Bruce F. Wesson

                                    with a copies to:

                                    Care Capital LLC
                                    47 Hulfish Street, Suite 310
                                    Princeton, New Jersey 08542
                                    Attn:  David Ramsey
                                    Telephone No.:  (    ) ___- ____

                                    Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen
                                    250 Park Avenue
                                    New York, NY 10177
                                    Attention: George N. Abrahams, Esq.
                                    Telephone No.:  (212) 986-1116
                                    Telecopier No.: (212) 986-0604

or at such other address as the party giving such notice shall have been advised
of in writing for such purpose by the party to whom or to which the same is
directed.

                  17.      Severability: Entire Agreement.

                  (a)      If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality or
enforceability of any such provision in any other jurisdiction shall not be
affected or impaired, and to the extent any provision is held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable, then such provision shall be deemed severable from, and shall
in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of
this Agreement.

                  (b)      This Agreement and the Subordination Agreement
constitute the entire agreement of the Pledgor and replaces any other or prior
agreements or undertakings, with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there
are no other agreements or undertakings, oral or written, respecting such
subject matter which are intended to have any force or effect after the
execution hereof.

                  (c)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the rights and remedies of the Pledgee, and the obligations of the
Pledgor, under this Stock Pledge Agreement are subject to the Subordination
Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                                       10
<PAGE>
                  18.      Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the Pledgor and the Pledgee and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. Section headings used herein are
for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any of
the provisions hereof.

                  19.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but
all counterparts together constituting only one instrument.

                  20.      Further Assurances. Pledgor and the Pledgee shall
execute, in a proper and timely manner, at or after the date hereof, such
additional documents and instruments as may be reasonably requested by the other
parties in connection with the consummation or confirmation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                  21.      No Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by
the Pledgor without the prior express written consent of the Pledgee.

                  22.      WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THE
PLEDGOR AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE PLEDGEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED
ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY TRANSACTION
DOCUMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION,
PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

                  NEITHER THE PLEDGOR OR THE PLEDGEE, NOR ANY EMPLOYEE AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF EITHER OF THEM, SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHER WRONG RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ESTABLISHMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR COLLECTION OF THE
OBLIGATIONS, EXCEPT FOR BAD FAITH.

                           [SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]

                                       11
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Agreement to
be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.

                                        HALSEY DRUG CO., INC.

                                        By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:   Michael Reicher
                                        Title:  Chief Executive Officer

Accepted and Agreed to
on December 20, 2002

GALEN PARTNERS III, L.P.
on behalf of itself and as Agent
By: Claudius, L.L.C., General Partner

By:______________________
   Name:
   Title:

                                       12
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                            Designation and Number of
                    shares of capital stock owned by Pledgor

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
                                 Certificate                                       Number of
        Issuer                       No.                 Designation                Shares
        ------                   -----------             -----------                ------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>             <C>                               <C>
Houba, Inc.                          1           Common Stock, $.01 par value        100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halsey Pharmaceuticals, Inc.         1           Common Stock, $.01 par value        100
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       13<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                                VOTING AGREEMENT

                  This VOTING AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of December
20, 2002, among the Parties signatory hereto (the "Parties").

                  WHEREAS, Halsey Drug Co., Inc., a New York corporation (the
"Company"), has entered into the Debenture Purchase Agreement dated of even date
herewith (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, Care Capital
Investments II, LP ("Care Capital"), Essex Woodlands Health Ventures ("Essex")
and other signatories thereto, providing for the issuance by the Company of 5%
Convertible Senior Secured Debentures due March 31, 2006 (the "2002 Debentures")
in the aggregate principal amount of $35,000,000; and

                  WHEREAS, Care Capital and Essex will purchase $5,000,000 and
$5,000,000, respectively, in principal amount of the 2002 Debentures pursuant to
the terms of the Purchase Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company does not have enough authorized and
unreserved shares of its Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock") available for issuance upon the conversion of the 2002 Debentures; and

                  WHEREAS, the Purchase Agreement contemplates that the
purchasers of the 2002 Debentures shall have the right to vote as part of a
single class with all holders of the Company's common stock on an as-converted
basis; provided, however, that for so long as Care Capital holds any 2002
Debentures, such voting rights shall not apply to Care Capital; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend its Certificate of
Incorporation to provide for (a) an increase in the number of shares of its
Common Stock in order to reserve a sufficient number of shares for issuance upon
the conversion of the Debenture; and (b) the as-converted voting rights to the
holders of the 2002 Debentures (including the proviso set forth in the
immediately preceding recital); and

                  WHEREAS, as additional consideration for the investment by
Care Capital and Essex, the Purchase Agreement provides that so long as Care
Capital and Essex remain a holder of the 2002 Debentures, the Parties desire to
vote their Securities (as defined below) in such a manner so as to elect a Care
Capital nominee and an Essex nominee to the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual agreements herein contained, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

                  1.       Amendment to Company's Certificate of Incorporation.
At the Company's next upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each Party hereto
will vote all (x) shares of Common Stock; (y) 5% Convertible Senior Secured
Debentures issued pursuant to that certain
<PAGE>
Debenture and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated March 10, 1998 between the
Company and the purchasers listed on the signature page thereto (the "1998
Debentures"), and (z) 5% Convertible Senior Secured Debentures issued pursuant
to that certain Debenture and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 1999
between the Company and the purchasers listed on the signature page thereto (the
"1999 Debentures", and together with the 1998 Debentures, the "Existing
Debentures") (collectively with the shares of the Company's Common Stock,
issuable upon conversion of the Existing Debentures, the "Securities") then
owned by such Party in favor of the following proposed amendments to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation:

                  (a)      Increasing the number of shares of the Company's
                           Common Stock authorized for issuance from 80,000,000
                           to such number as shall equal the sum of (i) the
                           Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock, plus
                           (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
                           upon the conversion and exercise of the Company's
                           outstanding convertible securities, plus (iii) the
                           number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
                           conversion of the 2002 Debentures and the exercise of
                           the Watson Warrant (as such term is defined in the
                           Purchase Agreement), plus (iv) 50 million shares, as
                           such sum shall be rounded up to the nearest whole
                           five million shares; and

                  (b)      Providing that the holders of the 2002 Debentures
                           shall have the right to vote as part of a single
                           class with all holders of the Common Stock of the
                           Company on all matters to be voted on by such
                           stockholders with each holder having such number of
                           votes as shall equal the number of votes they would
                           have had such holders converted the entire
                           outstanding principal amount of the 2002 Debentures
                           immediately prior to the record date relating to such
                           vote.

                  2.       Election of Care Capital Nominee and Essex Nominee.
From the date hereof, each Party and Care Capital and Essex (each of Care
Capital and Essex, and their permitted transferees and assigns, being referred
to herein as a "Designating Party") agree as follows:

                  (a)      Each Party holding Securities shall vote its
                           Securities, and take or cause to be taken such other
                           actions, as may be required from time to time to
                           elect to the Board of Directors of the Company one
                           person designated by each Designating Party. Without
                           limiting the generality of the foregoing, at each
                           annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company,
                           and at each special meeting of the shareholders and
                           debentureholders of the Company called for the
                           purpose of electing directors of the Company, and at
                           any time at which the shareholders and
                           debentureholders of the Company have the right to
                           elect directors of the Company, in each such event,
                           each Party shall vote all Securities owned by them
                           (or shall consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of
                           shareholders and debentureholders of the Company, as
                           the case may be), or take such other actions as shall
                           be necessary, to elect the Designating Party's
                           designee as a director of the Company in accordance
                           with the preceding provisions of this Section 2(a);

                                        2
<PAGE>
                  (b)      Each Party shall take all actions necessary to remove
                           forthwith the director designated by a Designating
                           Party when such removal is requested for any reason,
                           with or without cause, by such Designating Party. In
                           the case of the death, resignation or removal as
                           herein provided of a Designating Party's designee,
                           each Party shall vote all Securities held by it to
                           elect another person designated by such Designating
                           Party pursuant to Section 2(a);

                  (c)      Each Party hereby agrees that it will not vote any of
                           its Securities in favor of the removal of any
                           director that shall have been designated by a
                           Designating Party, unless the Designating Party that
                           has designated such director shall have consented to
                           such removal in writing.

                           In the event that any Party shall fail to vote the
                           Securities held by it in accordance with Section 2(a)
                           and (b), such Party shall, upon such failure to so
                           vote, be deemed immediately to have granted to each
                           Designating Party a proxy to vote its Securities
                           solely for the election of the nominee of such
                           Designating Party or the removal of such Designating
                           Party's designated director, as the case may be. Such
                           Party acknowledges that each such proxy granted
                           hereby, including any successive proxy, if necessary,
                           is being given to secure the performance of an
                           obligation hereunder, is coupled with an interest,
                           and shall be irrevocable until such obligation is
                           performed;

                  (d)      No Party shall grant any proxy or enter into or agree
                           to be bound by any voting trust with respect to the
                           Securities held by such Party, or enter into any
                           shareholder agreement or arrangement of any kind with
                           any person with respect to the Securities held by
                           such person that is, in either case, inconsistent
                           with the terms of this Agreement (whether or not such
                           agreement and arrangement was or is with other
                           shareholders of the Company that are or are not
                           parties to this Agreement);

                  (e)      The Company shall take, or cause to be taken, such
                           actions as may be required from time to time to
                           establish and maintain executive, audit and
                           compensation committees of the Board of Directors, as
                           well as such other committees of the boards of
                           directors of the Company as the Board of Directors
                           shall determine, having such duties and
                           responsibilities as are customary for such
                           committees. The designees of each Designating Party
                           shall be, if so requested by such Designating Party
                           in its sole discretion, a member of each such
                           committee; and

                  (f)      The rights and obligations provided in this Section 2
                           shall be applied separately for each Designating
                           Party, with the rights of a Designating Party
                           terminating on the date such Designating Party ceases
                           to be a holder of the 2002 Debentures.

                                        3
<PAGE>
                  3.       Liability. No Party who shall vote or consent or
withhold consent or make a request with respect to any Securities subject to
this Agreement on, to or from any matter in compliance with the terms hereof
that shall, as a result of any such vote or consent or withholding of consent or
making of a request, have any obligation or liability to any other Party
(whether such other Party shall also vote or consent or withhold consent or make
a request with respect to any Securities, then subject to this Agreement).

                  4.       Certain Remedies. Without intending to limit the
remedies available to any of the Parties, each Party agrees that damages at law
will be an insufficient remedy in the event such Party violates the terms hereof
or the powers granted hereunder and each of the Parties hereto further agrees
that each of the other Parties hereto may apply for and have injunctive or other
equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain the breach
or threatened breach of, or otherwise specifically to enforce, any of such
Party's agreements or the powers granted hereunder set forth herein.

                  5.       Representations. Each Party represents and warrants
to each other Party that this Agreement is its legal, valid and binding
obligation, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms, and
will not result in any (a) violation or breach of, or be in conflict with, each
Party's respective organizational documents or material contracts, or (b)
violation of any statutes, laws, rules, regulations, orders or judgments
applicable to such Party.

                  6.       Transfer of Securities. Except as otherwise set forth
in the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), nothing
shall prohibit or in any manner restrict any Party's ability to freely transfer,
assign, convey, or otherwise dispose of or convert its Securities; provided,
however, that upon the transfer, assignment, conveyance or disposition of any
Securities by a Party, such transferring Party shall cause the Person to which
the Securities are transferred, assigned, conveyed or otherwise disposed to
agree to be bound by the terms hereof..

                  7.       Term. This Agreement and the Parties' obligations
hereunder shall continue in effect for so long as Care Capital and Essex owns
any 2002 Debentures.

                  8.       Amendment. (a) Any term of this Agreement or the
powers granted hereunder may be amended and the observance of any such term or
power may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of Care Capital
and Essex and the holders of a majority of the Securities then subject to this
Agreement.

                  (b)      This Agreement and the powers granted hereunder may
be terminated only with the written consent of Care Capital, Essex and all
Parties hereto.

                  9.       Binding Effect. (a) This Agreement and the powers
granted hereunder shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, Care
Capital, Essex and the Parties.

                  (b)      Nothing in this Agreement or the powers granted
hereunder shall obligate any Party hereto, in his or her capacity as an
employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, to take
or refrain from taking any action in any such capacity or shall

                                        4
<PAGE>
otherwise affect the rights or obligations of any such party in any such
capacity.

                  10.      Notices. All notices, demands or other communications
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if
transmitted by facsimile or delivered either personally or by a nationally
recognized courier service marked for next business day delivery or sent in a
sealed envelope by first class mail, postage prepaid and either registered or
certified, return receipt requested, to the address for each Party as provided
on the signature pages hereto, or to such other address as any such Party shall
designate in writing at the address hereinabove provided. Any such notice,
demand or communication shall be deemed to have been given (a) on the date of
delivery, if delivered personally, (b) on the date of facsimile transmission,
receipt confirmed, (c) one business day after delivery to a nationally
recognized overnight courier service, if marked for next day delivery or (d)
five business days after the date of mailing, if mailed.

                  11.      Miscellaneous. The section headings herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation hereof. This Agreement and the powers granted hereunder contain
the entire agreement among the Parties hereto with respect to the matters
contemplated herein. If for any reason any provision hereof shall be invalid,
unenforceable or inoperative, the validity and effect of the other provisions
hereof shall not be affected herein. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the Parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original but all
of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This
Agreement shall become effective as to each signatory hereto upon the execution
and delivery hereof by such signatory. This Agreement and the powers granted
hereunder shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York
wherein the terms of this Agreement were negotiated, excluding to the greatest
extent permitted by law any rule of law that would cause the application of the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

                                        5
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto has executed this
Agreement on the date first above written.

<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
ORACLE STRATEGIC PARTNERS, L.P.               GALEN PARTNERS III, L.P.
By: Oracle Strategic Capital L.L.C.,          By: Claudius, L.L.C., General Partner
General Partner                               610 Fifth Avenue, 5th Fl.
200 Greenwich Avenue                          New York, New York 10019
3rd Floor
Greenwich, CT 06830

____________________________________          ______________________________________
By:  Joel Liffmann                            By:  Srini Conjeevaram
Its: Authorized Agent                         Its: General Partner

GALEN EMPLOYEE FUND III, L.P.                 GALEN PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL III, L.P.
By: Wesson Enterprises, Inc.                  By: Claudius, L.L.C., General Partner
610 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor                   610 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10020                      New York, New York 10020

____________________________________          ______________________________________
By:  Bruce F. Wesson                          By:  Srini Conjeevaram
Its: General Partner                          Its: General Partner

MICHAEL REICHER TRUST                         ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO., INC., TTEE
c/o Halsey Drug Co., Inc.                     FBO Michael K. Reicher IRA
695 North Perryville Rd.                      c/o Halsey Drug Co., Inc.
Crimson Building #2                           695 North Perryville Rd.
Rockford, Ill. 61107                          Crimson Building #2
                                              Rockford, Ill. 61107

____________________________________          ______________________________________
By:  Michael K. Reicher                       By:  Robert W. Baird
Its: Trustee                                  Its: Trustee

PETER CLEMENS
c/o Halsey Drug Co., Inc.
695 North Perryville Rd.
Crimson Building #2
Rockford, Ill. 61107

____________________________________
</TABLE>

                                        6
<PAGE>
  ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONSENTED TO
  as of the date set forth above by:

ESSEX WOODLANDS HEATH VENTURES V, L.P.,
By: Essex Woodlands Heath Ventures V, L.L.C.,
    its General Partner
190 South LaSalle Street
Suite 2800
Chicago IL 60603

____________________________________
Name:   Immanuel Thangaraj
Title:  Managing Director

CARE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS II, LP
By: Care Capital II, LLC, General Partner
47 Hulfish Street, Suite 310
Princeton, NJ 08542

____________________________________
By:  David R. Ramsay
Its: Authorized Signatory

                                        7
<PAGE>
                                Consent of Spouse

                  The undersigned, as the spouse of the Party who is the
signatory to the foregoing Voting Agreement, hereby consents to, confirms and
ratifies the terms of, and powers granted pursuant to, the foregoing Voting
Agreement, and agrees to be bound by all the Party's obligations under the
foregoing Agreement.

                                               _________________________________

                                               Spouse of________________________

                                        8

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