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                                                                Exhibit 10.1

                         K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
                      2001 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1.  PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

         The K-V Pharmaceutical Company 2001 Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is
intended to provide additional incentive to certain valued and trusted
employees of K-V Pharmaceutical Company, a Delaware corporation, and its
subsidiaries (the "Company"), by encouraging them to acquire shares of the
$.01 par value Class A common stock of the Company and the $.01 par value
Class B common stock of the Company (collectively, the "Stock") through
options to purchase Stock granted pursuant to the Plan ("Options"), thereby
increasing such employees' proprietary interest in the business of the
Company and providing them with an increased personal interest in the
continued success and progress of the Company, the result of which will
promote both the interests of the Company and its shareholders.

         Options may be either options ("Incentive Stock Options") which are
intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or nonqualified stock
options ("Nonqualified Options"). Each employee or other person granted an
Option shall enter into an agreement with the Company (the "Option
Agreement") setting forth the terms and conditions of the Option, as
determined in accordance with this Plan.

         2.  ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

         The Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") consisting of not less than two
members of the Board as the Board may appoint (the "Board Committee");
provided that so long as the Company is subject to the reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934
Act"), the members of the Board Committee shall be "Non-Employee Directors"
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, as such
Rule or its equivalent is then in effect ("Rule 16b-3") and "outside
directors" as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code. Board Committee
members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board.
Vacancies in the Board Committee, however caused, shall be filled by the
Board. The Board Committee shall act by a majority of its members in office
and the Board Committee may act either by vote at a telephonic or other
meeting or by a consent or other written instrument signed by all of the
members of the Board Committee.

         The Board Committee shall have the sole power:

         (a) subject to the provisions of the Plan, to grant Options; to
determine whether the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonqualified Option; to determine the terms and conditions of all Options;
to construe and interpret the Plan and Options granted under it; to
determine the time or times an Option may be exercised, the number of shares
as to which an Option may be exercised at any one time, and when an Option
may terminate; to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations relating
to the Plan and its administration; and to correct any defect, supply any
omission, or

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reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, or in any Option Agreement, in a
manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary, all of which
determinations and interpretations made by the Board Committee shall be
conclusive and binding on all Optionees and on their legal representatives
and beneficiaries; and

         (b) to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may
arise in the administration of the Plan and generally exercise such powers
and perform such acts as are deemed necessary or expedient to promote the
best interests of the Company.

         The Board, by resolution duly adopted, may authorize one or more
officers or employees of the Company to serve on a committee (the
"Management Option Committee") to do one or both of the following: (1)
recommend to the Board Committee recipients of Options and (2) recommend the
number, types and terms of Options.

         In the exercise of its powers and responsibilities under paragraphs
7, 8 and 13 hereunder, the Management Option Committee, or any member
thereof acting individually, may request that the Board Committee review any
action which the Management Option Committee proposes to take under the
authority granted to it said paragraphs and assume responsibility with
respect to such matter. In addition, at any time, the Board Committee may
assume and take over, on a prospective basis, any one or more, or all of the
powers and responsibilities granted to the Management Option Committee under
paragraphs 7, 8 and 13 hereunder, subject to later relinquishment of such
powers and responsibilities to the Management Option Committee at the
pleasure of the Board Committee.

         Any action which either the Board Committee or the Management
Option Committee is authorized to take under this Plan may be taken by the
full Board at any time.

         3.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

         (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 13 below, the Stock
which may be issued pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall not
exceed in the aggregate two million (2,000,000) shares of Class A Common
Stock of the Company and one million (1,000,000) shares of Class B Common
Stock of the Company; provided, however, in no event may more than three
million (3,000,000) shares of the Common Stock of the Company in the
aggregate be issued as an original grant hereunder. If any Options granted
under the Plan terminate, expire or are surrendered without having been
exercised in full, the number of shares of Stock not purchased under such
Options shall be available again for the purpose of the Plan.

         (b) At any time that the Board Committee determines that there
exists a public market for Class A Common Stock of the Company, it may
designate that an Option to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock of the
Company shall be exercisable to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company instead of Class B Common Stock. Such redesignation of an Option
shall not affect the purchase price under such Option or the number of
shares with respect to which such Option has been granted. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no redesignation of an Option shall be effective if such

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redesignation constitutes a modification of such Option within the meaning
of Section 424(h) of the Code.

         4.  PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS

         All employees of the Company and other persons, including but not
limited to, directors, consultants and contractors of the Company shall be
eligible to receive the grant of Options under the Plan; provided, however,
persons who are members of the Board Committee shall not be eligible to
receive a grant of Options hereunder unless granted by the Board as a whole.
Only employees shall be eligible to receive a grant of Incentive Stock
Options. The Board Committee shall determine the persons to whom Options
shall be granted, the time or times such Options shall be granted, the
number of shares to be subject to each Option and the times when each Option
may be exercised. The Board Committee shall seek information, advice and
recommendations from the Management Option Committee to assist the Board
Committee in its independent determination as to the employees to whom
Options shall be granted. A person who has been granted an Option (an
"Optionee"), if he or she is otherwise eligible, may be granted additional
Options.

         5.  PURCHASE PRICE AND LIMITATIONS ON GRANTS

         The purchase price of each share of Stock covered by each Option
("Purchase Price") shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the
Fair Market Value Per Share (as defined below) of the Stock on the date the
Option is granted; provided, however, if when an Incentive Stock Option is
granted the Optionee receiving the Incentive Stock Option owns or will be
considered to own by reason of Section 424(d) of the Code more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company, the purchase price of the Stock covered by such Incentive Stock
Option shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair
Market Value Per Share of the Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option
is granted.

         "Fair Market Value Per Share" of the Stock shall mean: (i) if the
Stock is not publicly traded, the amount determined by the Board Committee
on the date of the grant of the Option; (ii) if the Stock is traded only
otherwise than on a securities exchange and is not quoted on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), the
closing quoted selling price of the Stock on the date of grant of the Option
as quoted in "pink sheets" published by the National Daily Quotation Bureau;
(iii) if the Stock is traded only otherwise than on a securities exchange
and is quoted on NASDAQ, the closing quoted selling price of the Stock on
the date of grant of the Option, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; or
(iv) if the Stock is admitted to trading on a securities exchange, the
closing quoted selling price of the Stock on the date of grant of the
Option, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. For purposes of Items (i)
through (iv) of this paragraph, if there were no sales on the date of the
grant of an Option, the Fair Market Value Per Share shall be determined by
the Board Committee in accordance with Section 20.2031-2 of the Federal
Estate Tax Regulations.

         To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at
the Grant Date) of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
(determined without regard to this sentence) are exercisable for the first
time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the

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Company and its subsidiaries) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars, such
Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Options (this sentence shall be
applied by taking Incentive Stock Options into account in the order in which
they were granted).

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum number of shares
underlying Options that may be granted to any Optionee during any calendar
year shall be 250,000, subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph 13.

         6.  DURATION OF OPTIONS

         Any outstanding Option and all unexercised rights thereunder shall
expire and terminate automatically upon the earliest of: (i) the cessation
of the employment or engagement of the Optionee by the Company for any
reason other than retirement (as provided by contract between the Company
any such person or otherwise under normal Company policies), death or
disability; (ii) the date which is three months following the effective date
of the Optionee's retirement from the Company's service; (iii) the date
which is one year following the date on which the Optionee's service with
the Company ceases due to disability (or due to the death with respect to
Options issued prior to the date of this amendment); (iv) the date of
expiration of the Option determined by the Board Committee at the time the
Option is granted and specified in such Option; and (v) in any event, the
tenth annual anniversary date of the granting of the Option, or, if when an
Incentive Stock Option is granted the Optionee owns (or would be considered
to own by reason of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%)
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,
then on the fifth such anniversary; provided, however, that the Board
Committee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to extend the expiry
of the Options held by an Optionee whose service with the Company has ceased
for any reason to the end of their original terms (either upon issuance of
the Option or at such time as the Option would otherwise terminate),
notwithstanding that such Options may no longer qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option under the Code.

         7.  EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

         (a) An Option may be exercisable in installments or otherwise upon
such terms as the Management Option Committee shall determine when the
Option is granted. In the event that an Option is exercisable only in
installments and the Optionee has been employed by the Company for five or
more years as of the date such Option was granted, such Option shall become
fully exercisable upon the termination of employment of the Optionee by
reason of death or disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code),
if and to the extent that such acceleration would not cause a violation of
the limitations contained in section 422(b)(7) of the Code. If acceleration
by reason of termination because of disability would cause a violation of
the limitations contained in section 422(b)(7) of the Code, acceleration
shall occur only in an amount such that such acceleration does not cause a
violation of section 422(b)(7) of the Code and the acceleration of the
exercisability of any portion of the Option which would be in violation of
such limitation shall be deferred until January 1 of the year following that
in which termination of employment occurs. In the event termination of
employment occurs by reason of death, acceleration of the exercisability of
any portion of the Option shall occur

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only as and to the extent that such acceleration will not cause a violation
of the limitations contained in Section 422(b)(7) of the Code.

         (b) The Management Option Committee at any time: (i) may accelerate
the time at which any Option granted hereunder is exercisable or otherwise
vary the terms of an Option, notwithstanding the fact that such variance may
cause the Option to be treated as a Nonqualified Option; (ii) in the case of
a Non-Qualified Stock Option, may permit the transferability of such Option
and may remove any restrictions or conditions to which a Non-Qualified Stock
Option is subject; and (iii) subject to the consent of the Optionee, may
convert an outstanding Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock
Option it deems such conversion to be in the best interest of the Optionee.

         (c) No Option will be exercisable (and any attempted exercise will
be deemed null and void) if such exercise would create a right of recovery
for "short-swing profits" under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, unless the Optionee pays the Company the amount of such
"short-swing profits" at the time of the exercise of the Option.

         (d) In the event that a portion of an Incentive Stock Option which
first becomes exercisable exceeds the limitations contained in Section
422(b)(7) of the Code, the shares purchased pursuant to Options in excess of
such limitation shall be deemed to be non-qualified stock options and shall
be identified accordingly on the certificates representing such shares and
in the stock transfer records of the Company.

         8.  METHOD OF EXERCISE

         (a) When the right to purchase shares accrues, Options may be
exercised by giving written notice to the Company stating the number of
shares for which the Option is being exercised, accompanied by payment in
full by cash, or its equivalent, acceptable to the Company, of the purchase
price for the shares being purchased. The Company shall issue a separate
certificate or certificates of Stock for each Option exercised by an
Optionee.

         (b) The Management Option Committee's shall determined at the time
the Option is granted, whether payment of the purchase price for the shares
may be made in whole or in part with other shares of Stock of the Company
which are free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. The value of the
shares of Stock tendered in payment for the shares being purchased shall be
the Fair Market Value Per Share on the date of the Optionee's notice of
exercise.

         (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right
to postpone the time of delivery of the shares for such period as may be
required for the Company, with reasonable diligence, to comply with any
applicable listing requirements of any national securities exchange or the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any Federal, state or
local law. If the Optionee, or other person entitled to exercise the Option,
fails to timely accept delivery of and pay for the shares specified in such
notice,

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the Management Option Committee shall have the right to terminate the Option
with respect to such shares.

         9.  NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

         No Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be
assignable or transferable by the Optionee, either voluntarily or by
operation of law, other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Optionee, shall be exercisable
only by the Optionee.

         10.  CONTINUANCE OF EMPLOYMENT

         Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Option granted under the
Plan shall confer upon any Optionee any rights with respect to the
continuation of employment by the Company or interfere in any way with the
right of the Company at any time (a) to terminate such employment, (b) to
increase or decrease the compensation of the Optionee from the rate in
existence at the time of the granting of any Option, or (c) to alter the
title, duties or responsibilities of an Optionee.

         11.  RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES

         If the Company shall be advised by counsel that certain
requirements under the Federal or state securities laws must be met before
Stock may be issued under this Plan, the Company shall notify all persons
who have been issued Options, and the Company shall have no liability for
failure to issue Stock under any exercise of Options because of delay while
such requirements are being met or the inability of the Company to comply
with such requirements.

         12.  PRIVILEGE OF STOCK OWNERSHIP

         No person entitled to exercise any Option granted under the Plan
shall have the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company for any
shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of such Option until such person has
become the holder of record of such shares. No adjustment shall be made for
dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date on
which such person becomes the holder of record, except as provided in
paragraph 13 below.

         13.  ADJUSTMENT

         (a) If the number of outstanding shares of Stock are increased or
decreased, or such shares are exchanged for a different number or kind of
shares or securities of the Company through reorganization, merger,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination
of shares, or other similar transaction, the aggregate number of shares of
Stock subject to the Plan as provided in paragraph 3 above, and the shares
of Stock subject to issued and outstanding Options under the Plan shall be
appropriately and proportionately adjusted by the Management Option
Committee. Any such adjustment in an outstanding Option shall be made
without change in the aggregate purchase price applicable to the unexercised
portion of the Option but with an appropriate adjustment in the price for
each share or other unit of any security covered by the Option.

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         (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), upon: (i) the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, (ii) a reorganization, merger or consolidation
of the Company with one or more corporations in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation, (iii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of
the Company or (iv) the transfer of more than 80% of the then outstanding
Stock of the Company to another entity or person in a single transaction or
series of transactions, the Plan shall terminate, and any outstanding
Options granted under the Plan shall terminate on the day before the
consummation of the transaction; provided that the Board shall have the
right, but shall not be obligated, to accelerate the time in which any
Options may be exercised prior to such a termination. However, the
termination of such Options shall not occur if provision is made in writing
in connection with the transaction, in a manner acceptable to the Board,
for: (A) the continuance of the Plan and assumption of outstanding Options,
or (B) the substitution for such Options of new options to purchase the
stock of a successor corporation (or parent or subsidiary thereof), with
appropriate adjustments as to number and kind of shares and option price.
The Board shall have the authority to amend this paragraph to provide for a
requirement that a successor corporation assume any outstanding Options.

         (c) Adjustments under this paragraph 13 shall be made by the
Management Option Committee whose determination as to what adjustments shall
be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive. No
fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan or in connection
with any such adjustment.

         14.  HOLDING PERIOD AND FORFEITURE OF STOCK

         (a) All Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall
be held by the Company for a period of two (2) years from the date of
exercise (the "Holding Period"). Notwithstanding anything contained herein
to the contrary, if an Optionee leaves the employ of the Company during the
Holding Period for any reason other than the retirement (under normal
Company policies), death or disability of such Optionee, the Optionee's
purchase of such Stock shall be voidable by the Board Committee upon the
recommendation of the Management Option Committee. If any purchase of Stock
is voided by reason of the provisions of this paragraph 14, an amount
determined as provided in paragraph 14(d) shall thereupon be returned in
full to the Optionee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the recommendation
of the Management Option Committee, the Board Committee at any time may
modify any requirement set forth herein with respect to any outstanding
options or with respect to stock acquired pursuant to any Option.

         (b) At any time within the Holding Period that there exists a
public market for Class A Common Stock of the Company, the Optionee and the
Management Option Committee may agree to the cancellation of an Optionee's
Class B Common Stock of the Company then being held, and the issuance in
lieu thereof an equivalent number of Class A Common Stock of the Company.

         (c) In the event that an Optionee incurs a financial hardship
within the Holding Period, which is determined by the Management Option
Committee in its sole discretion upon written application by the Optionee
and after review of the facts and

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circumstances to be of an immediate and heavy nature, the Management Option
Committee may authorize the repurchase of the Optionee's Stock by the
Company at a price as determined under paragraph 14(d) and payment of the
proceeds of such repurchase to the Optionee.

         (d) In the event that a purchase of Stock is voided by reason of
the provisions of this paragraph 14(a) or repurchased by the Company by
reason of the financial hardship of an Optionee, the amount paid to such
Optionee by reason of the voided transaction or the repurchase of such stock
shall be the least of: (i) the funds paid by the Optionee in connection with
the voided transaction; (ii) the value in cash of Stock used to purchase
such Stock, determined as of the date of such purchase, less any amount
which would have been forfeited by reason of this paragraph 14 relative to
Stock used to purchase the forfeited stock if such Stock had not been so
used and the Holding Period relative to such stock had not expired; or (iii)
the Fair Market Value Per Share, as determined in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 5 hereof, on the termination date of the Optionee's
employment with the Company or the date of the repurchase made pursuant to
paragraph 14(b), as the case may be.

         (e) In order to facilitate the repurchase of Stock by the Company
in accordance with the terms of paragraph 14(a) hereof, if an Optionee
leaves the employ of the Company during the Holding Period and the Company
rescinds the purchase of Stock by such Optionee, each Optionee who exercises
any Option or portion thereof shall, at the time of payment thereof, as
provided in paragraph 7(a) hereof, deliver to the Company a form of stock
power and assignment signed by such Optionee in form and substance
satisfactory to the Company, rendering the certificate representing the
shares purchased negotiable to the Company.

         15.  OPTIONEE'S RIGHT TO PLEDGE

         (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 14(a) hereof, if
any Optionee who exercises an Option demonstrates to the Management Option
Committee a need to obtain financing for the purchase of Stock pursuant to
such exercise and indicates his good faith intention to remain in the employ
of the Company during the Holding Period, the Management Option Committee,
in its sole discretion, may permit delivery of any Stock purchased pursuant
to the exercise of any Option to a financial institution for use by such
Optionee as collateral security for the purchase of the Stock, subject to
any necessary or appropriate restrictions with respect thereto as may be
required to comply with applicable Federal and state securities laws and/or
the listing requirements of any national securities exchange and the terms
of any agreement that may be required by the Management Option Committee as
a condition of delivery of any Stock.

         (b) If Stock is delivered to an Optionee in order to facilitate a
pledge described in paragraph 15(a), the Company shall have the right to
cancel said Stock upon the exercise of the Company's election to void the
purchase of such Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 14(a). Upon
the cancellation of such Stock and application by the holder thereof, the
Company shall pay to the holder the amount payable for such Stock as
calculated under the provisions of paragraph 14(c) hereof.

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         (c) Any Stock delivered to an Optionee pursuant to the provisions
of this paragraph 15 shall contain a legend stating that the Stock is
subject to cancellation pursuant to the terms of this Plan and that upon
cancellation the amount payable to the holder thereof shall be limited as
provided in the Plan.

         16.  DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES

         If the Optionee remains in the employ of the Company throughout the
Holding Period, or leaves the employ of the Company by reason of retirement
(under normal Company policies), death or disability, the Company shall
deliver to the Optionee or his personal representative (as the case may be),
as soon as practicable thereafter, certificates representing the Stock
purchased by the Optionee under the Option free and clear of restriction
except for the restrictions which are necessary to assure compliance by the
Company and the Optionee with applicable Federal and state securities laws
and/or the listing requirements of any national securities exchange (the
"Certificates"). If the Company fails or declines to exercise its right to
void any purchase pursuant to the terms of paragraph 14 hereof, the Company
shall deliver the Certificates to those Optionees as soon as practicable
after the expiration of two (2) years from the date of exercise of the
applicable Option. In the event an Option is exercised using Stock as
consideration for the Purchase Price, the Company shall issue separate
certificates for each block of shares delivered in payment of the Option
Price and for the balance of shares purchased at such exercise.

         17.  INVESTMENT PURPOSE

         Each Option granted hereunder may be issued on the condition that
any purchase of Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option which shall not
be the subject of a registration statement permitting the sale or other
distribution thereof shall be for investment purposes and not with a view to
resale or distribution (the "Restricted Stock"). If requested by the
Company, each Optionee must agree, at the time of the purchase of any
Restricted Stock, to execute an "investment letter" setting forth such
investment intent in the form acceptable to the Company and must consent to
any stock certificate issued to him thereunder bearing a restrictive legend
setting forth the restrictions applicable to the further resale, transfer or
other conveyance thereof without registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of
any other jurisdiction (together, the "Securities Laws"), or the
availability of exemptions from registration thereunder and to the placing
of transfer restrictions on the records of the transfer agent for such
stock. No Restricted Stock may thereafter be resold, transferred or
otherwise conveyed unless:

                  (1) an opinion of the Optionee's counsel is received, in
         form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Company, that
         registration under the applicable Securities Laws is not required;
         or

                  (2) such Stock is registered under the applicable
         Securities Laws; or

                  (3) "no action" letters are received from the staff of the
         Securities and Exchange Commission and from the administrative
         agencies administering all other applicable securities or blue sky
         laws, based on the option of counsel for Optionee in

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         form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Company,
         advising that registrations under the Securities Laws are not
         required.

         18.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

         (a) The Board may, from time to time, with respect to any shares at
the time not subject to Options, suspend or terminate the Plan or amend or
revise the terms of the Plan; provided that any amendment to the Plan shall
be approved by a majority of the shareholders of the Company if the
amendment would (i) materially increase or decrease the benefits accruing to
participants under the Plan; (ii) increase or decrease the number of shares
of Stock which may be issued under the Plan, except as permitted under the
provisions of paragraph 13 above; or (iii) materially modify the
requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan.

         (b) Subject to the provisions in paragraph 13 above, the Plan shall
terminate ten (10) years from the earlier of the adoption of the Plan by the
Board or its approval by the shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
a longer term is permitted with respect to the duration of an incentive
stock option plan under law, the Board may extend the term of this Plan to a
term not to exceed the longest term permitted with respect to an incentive
stock option plan.

         (c) Subject to the provisions in paragraph 13 above, no amendment,
suspension or termination of this Plan shall, without the consent of the
Optionee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Option granted
to such Optionee under the Plan.

         19.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

         The Plan shall become effective upon adoption by the Board and
approval by the Company's shareholders; provided, however, that prior to
approval of the Plan by the Company's shareholders but after adoption by the
Board, Options may be granted under the Plan subject to obtaining such
approval.

         20.  TERM OF PLAN

         No Option shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after ten (10)
years from the earlier of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board of
the Company or the date of approval by the Company's shareholders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a longer term is permitted with respect to
the duration of an incentive stock option plan under law, the Board may
extend the term of this Plan to a term not to exceed the longest term
permitted with respect to an incentive stock option plan.

         21.  MISCELLANEOUS

         (a) All distributions under the Plan are subject to withholding of
all applicable taxes, and the Management Option Committee may condition the
delivery of any shares or other benefits under the Plan on satisfaction of
the applicable withholding obligations. The Management Option Committee, in
its discretion, and subject to such requirements

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as the Management Option Committee may impose prior to the occurrence of
such withholding, may permit such withholding obligations to be satisfied
through cash payment by the Optionee, through the surrender of shares of
Stock that the Optionee already owns, or through the surrender of shares of
Stock to which the Optionee is otherwise entitled under the Plan.

         (b) Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as conferring
upon any employee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries.

         (c) Employment by the Company for the purpose of this Plan shall be
deemed to include employment by, and to continue during any period in which
an employee is in the employment of, any subsidiary.

         (d) An employee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect
to shares covered by such employee's Option until the date of the issuance
of shares to the employee pursuant thereto. No adjustment will be made for
dividends or other distributions or rights for which the record date is
prior to the date of such issuance.

         (e) Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving any
employee, such employee's beneficiaries or any other person any equity or
other interest of any kind in any assets of the Company or any subsidiary or
creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between
the Company or any subsidiary and any such person. Any Optionee shall have
only a contractual right to shares of Stock as set forth in the Agreement,
unsecured by any assets of the Company or any subsidiary, and nothing
contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the
Company or any subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any
person.

         (f) Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the
Company or any subsidiary from taking any corporate action that is deemed by
the Company or such subsidiary to be appropriate or in its best interests,
whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any
Option made under the Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall
have any claim against the Company or any subsidiary as a result of any such
action.

         (g) Neither an employee nor an employee's beneficiary shall have
the power or right to sell, exchange, pledge, transfer, assign or otherwise
encumber or dispose of such employee's or beneficiary's interest arising
under the Plan or any Option received under the Plan; nor shall such
interest be subject to seizure for the payment of an employee's or
beneficiary's debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance or be
transferable by operation of law in the event of an employee's or
beneficiary's bankruptcy or insolvency and to the extent any such interest
arising under the Plan or an Option received under the Plan is awarded to a
spouse pursuant to any divorce proceeding, such interest shall be deemed to
be terminated and forfeited notwithstanding any vesting provisions or other
terms herein or in the agreement evidencing such option.

         (h) The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of shares of
Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

                                     11

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (i) Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or
permitted to be made by any Optionee or other person entitled to benefits
under the Plan, and any permitted modification, or revocation thereof, shall
be in writing at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions
and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Board
Committee shall require.

         (j) All rights and obligations under the Plan shall be governed by,
and the Plan shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Missouri without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws. Titles and
headings to Sections herein are for purposes of reference only, and shall in
no way limit, define or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of
any provisions of the Plan.

                                     12<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.2

                           STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                              (Non-Assignable)

Date:                                                 Option Number:  01-XXXX

XXXXXXXXXXX                                      Number of Shares Purchasable
                                                                          XXX

                            To Purchase Shares of

                            Class A Common Stock

                                    -of-

                         K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

                           Issued Pursuant to the

                2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
                ---------------------------------------------

THIS CERTIFIES THAT XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is hereby granted the option to
purchase, at the option price of $XXXXX per share, all or any part of that
number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Class A Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share ("Class A Common Stock"), of K-V Pharmaceutical
Company, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company") above set
forth, upon and subject to the following terms and conditions:

         This Option and all rights to purchase shares hereunder shall
expire ten (10) years from the date hereof (hereinafter called the
"expiration date.")

         This Option and all rights hereunder shall be non-assignable and
non-transferable, except to the extent that the Holder's legatees, personal
representatives or distributees in the event of the Holder's death may be
permitted to exercise this Option as hereinafter set forth.

         Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other
disposition of this Option except as provided herein or in accordance with
the Company's 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") shall be null
and void and without effect.

         As of XXXXXXXXXX, and prior to its expiration or earlier
termination, this Option shall be exercisable from time to time in
cumulative installments as to all or any of the shares then purchasable
hereunder as follows: During the twelve-month period commencing
XXXXXXXXXXXXX and ending XXXXXXXXXXXXXX it may be exercised as to 10% of the
shares originally subject hereto; and during each additional consecutive
twelve-month period, it may be exercised as to an additional 10%; until the
tenth twelve-month period, during which this Option shall be exercisable as
to all the shares subject hereto.

                                     1

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         This Option may be exercised from time to time only by delivery to
the Company at its main office (attention of the Secretary) of a duly signed
notice in writing stating the number of shares with respect to which this
Option is being exercised and the time and date of delivery thereof, which
time and date of delivery shall be during the normal business hours of the
Company on a regular business day not less than fifteen (15) days after the
giving of such notice unless an earlier date has been mutually agreed upon;
provided, however, that not less than ten (10) shares may be purchased at
any one time unless the number purchased is the total number then
purchasable hereunder; and provided further that this Option may not be
exercised at any time when this Option or the granting or exercise hereof
violates any law or governmental order or regulation. At the time of
delivery specified in such notice, the Company shall, without transfer or
issue tax to the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise this Option)
transfer and set aside for the benefit of the Holder (or other person
entitled to exercise this Option) a certificate or certificates out of the
Company's theretofore authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Class
A Common Stock as the Company may elect (with appropriate legend thereon, if
deemed necessary by the Company, containing the representation by the person
exercising the Option that the shares purchased shall be for investment
purposes and not with a view to resale or distribution) against payment of
the option price in full for the number of shares purchased by either (i)
cash (including a certified or bank cashier's check or the equivalent
thereof), or (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, as defined in the
Plan, by delivering at fair market value, as determined by the Committee (as
provided under the Plan), Company Common Stock already owned by the
Participant, or (iii) any combination of cash and Company Common Stock, to
be held by the Company and subsequently delivered to the Holder (or such
other person) as hereinafter provided. If the Holder fails to pay for any
part of the number of shares specified in such notice as required, the right
to purchase such shares may be terminated by the Committee.

         Except as hereinafter provided, no Option may be exercised at any
time unless the Holder hereof is an employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.

         To the extent that this Option has not been exercised in full prior
to its termination or expiration date, whichever occurs sooner, it shall
terminate and become void and of no effect.

         Except as hereinafter provided, all Class A Common Stock purchased
pursuant to the exercise of this Option shall be held by the Company for a
period of two years from the date of exercise. Such two year period shall
hereinafter be referred to as the "Holding Period". If the Holder leaves the
employ of the Company during the Holding Period for any reason, except
retirement (under normal Company policies), death or disability, the
Holder's purchase of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of this option
shall be voidable at the Company's sole option and discretion at any time
within the Holding Period. If any purchase of Class A Common Stock is so
voided, the least (i) the funds paid by the Holder in connection with the
voided transaction; (ii) the value in cash of Common Stock used to purchase
such Class A Common Stock, determined

                                     2

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

as of the date of such purchase, less any amount which would have been
forfeited pursuant to the Plan relative to Stock used to purchase the
forfeited stock if such Stock had not been so used and the Holding Period
relative to such stock had not expired; or (iii) the fair market value per
share, as determined on the date of termination of the Holder's employment
with the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, shall be
returned in full to the Holder within thirty (30) days after such purchase
is voided provided, however, no payment shall be due prior to the time that
the Company is in possession of the Class A Common Stock and an executed
stock power with respect to such Stock. In order to facilitate the
repurchase of Class A Common Stock by the Company in accordance with the
terms of this Paragraph, each Holder who exercises this Option or portion
thereof shall, at the time of payment for such Class A Common Stock, as
provided hereinabove, deliver to the Company a form of stock power and
assignment signed by such Holder in form and substance satisfactory to the
Company, rendering the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock
purchased (the "Certificates") negotiable to the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Holder demonstrates to the Committee of the Company a
need to obtain financing for the purchase of Class A Common Stock and
indicates his good faith intention to remain in the employ of the Company
during the Holding Period, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit
delivery of any Class A Common Stock purchased hereunder to a financial
institution for use as collateral security for the purchase of the Class A
Common Stock; subject to any necessary or appropriate restrictions with
respect thereto as may be required to comply with applicable federal and
state securities laws and/or the listing requirements of any national
securities exchange, and the Holder may use any Class A Common Stock so held
in payment of the Option Price for additional Class A Common Stock as
provided for herein.

         If the Holder remains in the employ of the Company throughout the
Holding Period, or is terminated by reason of death, disability or
retirement (under normal Company policies) the Company shall deliver to the
Holder or the Holder's personal representative, as soon as practicable
thereafter, the Certificates, free and clear of restrictions except for the
restrictions which are necessary to assure compliance by the Company and the
Holder with applicable federal and state securities laws and/or the listing
requirements of any national securities exchange. If the Company fails or
declines to exercise its right to void any purchase pursuant to the terms of
the preceding paragraph hereof, the Company shall deliver the Certificates
to the Holder as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable
Holding Period for such shares of Common Stock represented by the
Certificates.

         This Option shall not confer upon the Holder any right to remain in
the employ of the Company or any subsidiary thereof and shall not confer
upon the Holder any rights in the stock of the Company prior to the issuance
of a stock certificate pursuant to the exercise of this Option. No
adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

         Except as provided in this paragraph, upon termination of the
Holder's employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any
reason, this Option

                                     3

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

shall terminate. If the employment of the Participant is terminated by
reason of retirement (under normal Company policies) any outstanding Option
or unexercised portion thereof granted to him may be fully exercised by the
Participant, his personal representative, executor, administrator, heirs or
devisees, as applicable, at any time, within three months from the date of
termination by reason of retirement. If the employment of a Participant is
terminated by reason of death or disability, any outstanding Option or
unexercised portion thereof which was granted to him may be fully exercised
by the Participant, his personal representative, executor, administrator,
heirs or devisees, as applicable, at any time within one year from the date
of termination by reason of death or disability, provided that the
Participant has completed five (5) full years of employment with the Company
from the date the Option was granted. If the Participant has not completed
five (5) full years of employment with the Company from the date the Option
was granted, the Option may be exercised only to the extent exercisable as
of the date of termination of employment. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable at any time after the expiration
of the Option in accordance with its terms. Any transfer of employment from
the Company to any Parent or Subsidiary thereof, or vice versa, shall not be
deemed a termination of employment.

         In the event that the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company are hereafter increased or decreased or changed into or
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of
the Company or of another corporation, or in the event that there is a
"corporate transaction" as that term is defined in the Regulations under
Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by reason of
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification,
stock split-up, spin-off, combination of shares or dividend payable in
capital stock, this Option shall, to the extent that it has not been
exercised, entitle the Holder upon the subsequent exercise of this Option to
such number and kind of securities or other property, subject to the terms
of the Option, to which the Holder would be entitled had the Holder actually
owned the shares subject to the unexercised portion of this Option at the
time of the occurrence of such event, and the aggregate purchase price upon
the subsequent exercise of this Option shall be the same as if the Class A
Common Stock of the Company originally optioned were being purchased as
provided herein; provided, however, that each such adjustment in the number
and kind of shares subject to this Option, including any adjustment in the
Option price, shall be made in such manner as not to constitute a
"modification" as defined in Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986. Any such adjustment made by the Committee shall be conclusive.

         Upon the occurrence of: (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, (ii) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with
one or more corporations in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, (iii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company
or (iv) the transfer of more than 80% of the then outstanding Stock of the
Company to another entity or person in a single transaction or series of
transactions, the Plan shall terminate, and any outstanding Options granted
under the Plan shall terminate on the day before the consummation of the
transaction; provided

                                     4

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

that the Board of Directors shall have the right, but shall not be
obligated, to accelerate the time in which any Options may be exercised
prior to such a termination. However, the termination of such Options shall
not occur if the Board of Directors takes certain actions as provided in the
Plan. In addition, the Board of Directors has the authority to amend the
Plan to require that a successor corporation assume any outstanding Options.

         The Company may postpone the issuance and delivery of shares upon
any exercise of this Option, if necessary, until admission of such shares to
listing on any stock exchange and completion of registration and
qualification of such shares under any applicable state or federal law, rule
or regulation.

         The Holder hereof shall make such representations and furnish such
information to the Company as may be appropriate to permit the Company to
issue such shares in compliance with the provisions of the Security Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any other applicable law,
including state securities laws. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, if requested by the Company, the Holder will represent, in form
acceptable to the Company, that the Holder is purchasing any shares issued
pursuant hereto for investment purposes and not with a view to resale or
distribution. The Holder, by acceptance of this Option, hereby consents to
the placing of restrictive legend on any stock certificate for shares
purchased hereunder, setting forth the restrictions applicable to the
further resale, transfer or other conveyance thereof without registration
under the Securities Act or other applicable law or the availability of an
exemption from registration thereunder and to the placing of transfer
restrictions on the records of the transfer agent for such shares. In
addition, the Holder hereof will not thereafter resell, transfer or
otherwise convey any shares purchased hereunder without compliance with one
of the following three conditions: (1) an opinion of the Holder's counsel is
received, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Company,
that registration under the Security Act and applicable state securities
laws is not required; or (2) such shares have been registered for sale under
the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws; or (3) a
"no-action" letter is received from the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and from applicable state securities agencies, based on an
opinion of the Holder's counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for the Company, advising that registration under
the Securities Act is not required.

         This Option is issued pursuant to the provisions of the Company's
2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the receipt of a copy of which the Holder
acknowledges by virtue of the acceptance hereof, and is subject to all the
terms and conditions of said Plan.

         A determination by the Committee of any question which may arise
with respect to the interpretation and construction of the provisions of
this Option or of said Plan shall be final. The Committee may authorize and
establish such rules, regulations and revisions thereof not inconsistent
with the provisions of said Plan as it may deem advisable.

                                     5

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         WITNESS the seal of the Company and the signatures of its duly
authorized officers.

Dated:  XXXXXXXXXXXXX

                                          K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

                                          By
                                            -----------------------
                                            Vice President, Finance

ACCEPTED:

---------------------------------
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

                                     6

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED I, XXXXXXXXXXXX, do hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY all shares of the Capital Stock of
K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY standing in my name on the books of said K-V
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY represented by Certificate Number(s)
                     herewith and do hereby irrevocably constitute and
--------------------
appoint K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY'S Controller as attorney to transfer the
said stock on the books of the within named K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY with
full power of substitution in the premises.

         DATED:
               -------------------------------

IN PRESENCE OF:                             SIGNED:

------------------------------              ------------------------------
                                                     XXXXXXXXXXX

                                     7

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