Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 4.21

                               [DRAXIS LETTERHEAD]

                                                                October 11, 2000
DELIVERED                                                PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Douglas M. Parker
321 Glen Road
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 2X4

Dear Mr. Parker:

     Since March 31, 1999 the date you executed your original employment
agreement (the "Original Agreement"), Draxis Health Inc. ("Draxis") has
developed and expanded, commensurate with the corporate growth and staffing
changes, your duties and responsibilities. In addition, there have been
modifications to the terms of the Original Agreement. Accordingly, both parties
agree that it is beneficial to formally confirm the terms and conditions of your
employment with Draxis.

1 . EMPLOYMENT

     Effective June 01, 2000 you shall be employed with Draxis as its General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary on the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement. You shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of Draxis. Without
limiting the scope of your duties and responsibilities, as General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary you shall be responsible for overseeing Draxis' legal
affairs and you shall act as Corporate Secretary of the Company and be a member
of Draxis' executive team. In addition, you will perform any additional
employment responsibilities assigned to you by the Chief Executive Officer of
Draxis from time to time.

2. BASE SALARY

     Draxis will pay to you during the term of this Agreement, effective October
01, 2000, a gross salary of $110,000 per annum, payable semi-monthly, in
arrears, in twenty-four (24) equal installments of $4,583.33 ("Base Salary").
Such salary shall be subject to annual review in accordance with Draxis' regular
administrative practices of salary review applicable to the executive officers
of Draxis. Any salary increases shall be determined on merit by the Chief
Executive Officer of Draxis. The Chief Executive Officer will inform you of any
increases in your salary in advance of the implementation date.

     As an officer of the company, Draxis will provide and pay for directors'
and officers' liability insurance and in any event will indemnify and save you
harmless from any action arising within the scope of your employment
responsibilities for Draxis and its affiliates (as such term is defined in the
CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT) ("Affiliates").

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3. BENEFITS

     You will be entitled to participate in all benefit plans which Draxis shall
from time to time make available to its executive employees, subject to
applicable eligibility rules thereof. The benefits currently offered are:

         -        major medical

         -        dental group

         -        life long term disability

         -        accidental death and dismemberment

4. STOCK OPTION PLAN

     You will be eligible to participate in the Stock Option Plan of Draxis,
which Draxis, from time to time, shall make available to employees, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of that plan. As at the date hereof,
the following grants of stock options to you remain outstanding and may be
exercised by you in accordance with the terms and conditions pursuant to which
each grant was made and the terms of this Agreement:

NO. OF OPTIONS             PRICE                     EXPIRY DATE
--------------             -----                     -----------
10,000                     $2.84                   April 07, 2004

30,000                     $3.37                    May 10, 2005

5. DEFERRED SHARE UNIT PLAN

     You will be eligible to participate in the Deferred Share Unit Plan, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of that plan. The Deferred Share Unit
Plan has been established to provide selected employees of Draxis and its
Affiliates with the opportunity to acquire share equivalent units convertible to
cash or common shares of Draxis. A plan document is available for review.

6. STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

     You will be eligible to participate in the Stock Ownership Plan which
Draxis shall from time to time make available to employees, subject to
applicable eligibility rules thereof and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of that plan.

7. EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION SHARE PURCHASE PLAN

     You will be eligible to participate in the Employee Participation Share
Purchase Plan which Draxis shall from time to time make available to its
employees, subject to applicable eligibility rules thereof and in accordance
with the terms and conditions of that plan.

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8. DISCRETIONARY BONUS

     The Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee, in their sole
discretion, may declare a bonus payable. Such bonus payment is not guaranteed
and payment of a discretionary bonus in any prior year is not a promise or
guarantee of payment in subsequent years. Further, to receive any discretionary
bonus payment, should one be declared, you must be employed on December 31st of
the calendar year for which the bonus is declared. Should a discretionary bonus
be declared, you may be eligible to receive an amount up to a maximum equivalent
to thirty percent (30%) of your Base Salary, or such other amount as may be
determined by the Chief Executive Officer of Draxis and the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion. For the calendar
year 2000 the above mentioned thirty percent (30%) bonus eligibility will be
retroactive to January 01, 2000.

9. INTEREST FREE LOAN

     Draxis has provided you with an interest free loan in the amount of $15,000
coincident with your commencement of employment with Draxis. The terms and
conditions including the executed promissory note as outlined in Section 9 of
the Original Agreement dated March 31, 1999 will remain in effect upon execution
of this Agreement.

10. MEMBERSHIPS AND PUBLICATIONS

     Draxis will pay all professional memberships, dues and levies required for
membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada and Canadian Bar Association fees.

11. VACATION

     Commencing in 1999, you shall be entitled to four (4) weeks vacation per
annum to be taken at a time or times acceptable to Draxis, having regard to its
operations. There shall be no vacation time carried over from one calendar year
into the following calendar year, unless previous authorization has been
received from the Chief Executive Officer of Draxis.

12. MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

     Draxis will support an ongoing Personal Management Development Program
where you will enroll no later than December 31, 2001, in a business program of
your choice provided that it is a generally recognized Management Development
program such as an MBA program at a fully accredited and recognized University.

     Draxis understands that this is a significant investment of your time and
will accommodate reasonable demands required of the program with respect to your
work schedule.

     Draxis will pay up to fifty percent (50%) of the total tuition of the full
program for all applicable years up to a maximum of $35,000. Subject to "Special
Provisions", the Company-paid portion of tuition would become repayable should
you terminate your employment and this Agreement with Draxis within twenty-four
(24) months of completion of the program or you do not complete the program
within forty-eight (48) months of commencement.

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     In addition to paying up to fifty percent (50%) of the tuition, Draxis
will loan you up to fifty percent (50%) of your out-of-pocket portion of the
tuition. This loan to be "full recourse", and will bear interest at Revenue
Canada's Prescribed Rate and be repayable through seventy-two (72)
semi-monthly payments through payroll deduction commencing the first pay
period following delivery to you of the loan. You will be required to sign a
"promissory note" in favour of Draxis at the time the loan is initiated.
Should you terminate your employment and this Agreement before the completion
of the program the loan will become due and payable at that time and Draxis
will be relieved of any future loan obligations or support under this program.

     Tuition payments and loan advances will be made by Draxis in accordance
with the tuition payment schedule requirements of the educational institution
selected.

     SPECIAL PROVISIONS: In the event that you are terminated without cause,
either following a change of control or otherwise, Draxis would be obligated
for any unpaid portion of its share of the tuition provided that you had
enrolled in the program or there was a demonstrated intention to commence a
program within the ensuing twelve (12) months.

13. EXPENSES

     Draxis agrees that it shall reimburse you for all authorized travelling
and other out-of-pocket expenses actually and properly incurred in connection
with your duties with Draxis and its Affiliates (the "Company"). For all such
expenses you agree you will furnish statements and vouchers as and when
required by Draxis.

14. DEDUCTIONS

     All salary and other payments and allowances outlined in this Agreement are
subject to such withholding and deduction at source as may be required by law.

15. EMPLOYEE'S COVENANTS

     You agree that you shall devote the whole of your working time, attention
and ability to the business of Draxis and shall use reasonable best efforts to
promote the interests of Draxis.

     Further, you agree that you shall duly and diligently perform all the
duties assigned to you while in our employ and shall well and faithfully serve
Draxis. You agree that while employed with Draxis you shall not, without the
prior written consent of Draxis, engage or otherwise be concerned in any other
business or occupation, or become a director, officer, agent or employee of any
other entity.

16. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION

(a) NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

     As Draxis' General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, you acknowledge that
you are creating, having access to, and require knowledge of confidential and
commercially valuable information of the Company, the unauthorized use or
disclosure of which could cause the Company serious and irreparable damage.

     (1) "Confidential Information" means all information, and all documents and
other tangible things recording any such information, relating to or useful in
connection with the business of the Company, whether or not a trade secret
within the meaning of the applicable law, which at the time or

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times concerned is not generally known to Competitors (as defined below) and
which has been or is from time to time disclosed to or developed by you as a
result of your employment with Draxis. Confidential Information includes, but is
not limited to, the following information of the Company:

         (i)      new products;

         (ii)     marketing strategies and plans;

         (iii)    development strategies and plans;

         (iv)     manufacturing processes and technologies;

         (v)      research in progress and unpublished manuals or know how;

         (vi)     regulatory filings;

         (vii)    identity of and relationship with licensees, licensors or
                  suppliers;

         (viii)   finances, financial information, financial management systems;

         (ix)     market research;

         (x)      market experience with products;

         (xi)     customer lists;

         (xii)    compensation and benefits provided to employees;

         (xiii)   any other research, information or documents which you are
                  told or reasonably ought to know that the Company regards as
                  proprietary or confidential; and

         (xiv)    any legal advice provided to Draxis, its officers, directors,
                  employees or agents during the course or your employment and
                  any details involving the Draxis position with respect to any
                  litigation matter or prospective litigation matter which
                  exists at the time of termination.

     (2) You agree that you shall hold all Confidential Information in the
strictest confidence, as a fiduciary. Without limiting such obligation, you
shall use Confidential Information only at times and places designated by the
Company in furtherance of the business of the Company. You shall not, except
where the Company otherwise provides its prior written consent or where
required by law, directly or indirectly disclose to any Person any Confidential
Information, directly or indirectly sell, give, loan or otherwise transfer any
Confidential Information or copy thereof to any Person, publish, lecture on or
display any Confidential Information to any Person or use Confidential
Information for your own benefit or the benefit of any other Person.

     (3) Your obligations under this Section shall remain in effect with respect
to each item of Confidential Information until the date upon which such
Confidential Information has been publicly disclosed in a manner properly
authorized by the Company or otherwise has become known to Competitors without
any breach of this Section by you.

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     (4) For purposes of this Agreement, "Competitor" shall mean any Person
which engages or is preparing to engage, in whole or in part, in the design,
development, manufacture, marketing or sale of any products or services which
compete directly with a product or service which, during the twelve (12) months
prior to the termination of this Agreement and your employment hereunder for any
reason, the Company marketed or at the time of termination of this Agreement and
your employment hereunder, is then preparing to market.

     (5) For purpose of this Agreement, "Person" shall include individuals,
partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations and
corporations.

(b) NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION

     (1) You acknowledge that the pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drug
industries are highly competitive businesses. You are a key executive of Draxis,
and as a result of your senior position, you confirm that you have acquired
extensive background in and knowledge of the Company's business and the
pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drug industries in which the Company
operates. You further acknowledge that the Company develops and markets its
products on a North American basis. Accordingly, you agree that in the course of
your employment with Draxis, and thereafter for a period of one (1) year (or if
such period is held to be excessive by a court of competent jurisdiction then
for a period of six (6) months) you shall not, without the prior written
authorization of the Chief Executive Officer of Draxis whether as principal, as
agent, or as an employee of, or in partnership, or association with any other
Person, in any manner whatsoever directly or indirectly:

         (i)      become employed by or associated or affiliated with any
                  Competitor of the Company in North America in a function
                  dealing with a product or service, which during the
                  twelve-month period immediately prior to the termination of
                  this Agreement and your employment hereunder, for any reason,
                  competed directly with a product or service of the Company;

         (ii)     seek to employ or encourage others to employ or otherwise
                  engage employees, agents or subcontractors of the Company (who
                  are employees, agents or subcontractors on the date this
                  Agreement terminated) or seek to in any way disrupt their
                  business relationship with the Company;

         (iii)    obtain by any means whatsoever the business of any Person who
                  at the time of the termination of this Agreement and your
                  employment hereunder, was a customer of the Company, if to
                  obtain such business may result in a reduction of that
                  Person's business with the Company;

         (iv)     approach any Person who at the time of the termination of this
                  Agreement and your employment hereunder was a customer of the
                  Company with the intention of soliciting or enticing the
                  business of that Person away from the Company.

(c) REASONABLENESS

     You agree that the obligations set out in Sections 16(a) and (b) together
with your other obligations under this Agreement are reasonably necessary for
the protection of the Company's proprietary and business interests and you
expressly agree that:

         (i)      the scope of each of the covenants set out in Sections 16(a)
                  and (b) above are in all respects, and in particular, in
                  respect of area, time and subject matter,

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                  necessary and reasonable because the Company is marketing its
                  products on a North American basis;

         (ii)     given your general knowledge and experience, the obligations
                  contained in this Agreement will not preclude you from
                  becoming gainfully employed with other employers who are not
                  Competitors following termination of this Agreement and your
                  employment hereunder for any reason;

         (iii)    your agreement to Sections 16(a) and (b) is a key incentive to
                  Draxis formalizing the current terms and conditions of your
                  employment.

(d) BREACH OF AGREEMENT

     You also recognize that any breach of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement by you will result in material damage to the Company, although it may
be difficult for Draxis to establish the monetary value of such damage. You
therefore agree that Draxis shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition
to any other remedies available to it, in a court of appropriate jurisdiction in
the event of any breach or threatened breach by you of any of the provisions of
this Agreement.

17. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

(a) TERMINATION BY DRAXIS FOR CAUSE

     Draxis may terminate this Agreement and your employment hereunder at any
time for cause without notice and without payment of any kind of compensation
either by way of anticipated earnings or damages of any kind.

(b) TERMINATION BY DRAXIS WITHOUT CAUSE BUT WITH NOTICE

     Draxis may terminate this Agreement and your employment hereunder by
providing to you one (1) year's actual notice of termination. At its sole
discretion, Draxis may provide to you a shorter period of notice of termination,
in which case, the payments referred to in Section 17(c) shall be applicable,
but such payments as may be required by Sections 17(c)(1) and (4) shall be
reduced by the notice provided, so that the total notice and compensation in
lieu of notice provided to you shall be equivalent to one (1) year from the date
you are advised of the termination.

(c) TERMINATION BY DRAXIS WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITHOUT NOTICE

     Draxis may terminate this Agreement and your employment hereunder, in its
sole discretion, without notice and without cause, effective immediately upon
the date you are advised of the termination.

     Except as outlined in Section 17(b), if your employment is terminated
without cause pursuant to this Section, Draxis shall:

         (1)      Pay to you a severance allowance equivalent to one (1) year of
                  your then current Base Salary; in a lump sum within two (2)
                  weeks following the date of such termination.

         (2)      Pay to you all outstanding vacation pay and any earned but
                  unpaid salary up to the date of such termination within two
                  (2) weeks of the date of termination.

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         (3)      Reimburse you for any business expenses incurred by you up to
                  and including the date of such termination following provision
                  by you of applicable receipts.

         (4)      Ensure it has complied with all statutory obligations imposed
                  by the EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT.

     The payment referred to in paragraph 1, above, shall be guaranteed and
shall not be subject to set off or deduction as a result of your obtaining
alternate employment following such termination or otherwise mitigating any
damages arising from such termination. Further, the payment referred to in
paragraph 1, above, is inclusive of all statutory payments, including statutory
termination and severance, which may be owed to you.

     The amounts paid to you pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to all
required deductions.

     Upon termination of your employment in accordance with this Section 17(c),
you shall return to Draxis all stock options, Employee Participation Shares and
other securities which have not vested or accrued during your employment with
Draxis.

(d) TERMINATION PAYMENT FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL

     (1) In accordance with paragraph 17(d)(2) below, if there is a Change of
Control (as hereinafter defined) you shall be entitled to the following:

         A.       the amounts of any unpaid salary earned up to and including
                  date of termination;

         B.       any unpaid vacation pay earned up to and including date of
                  termination;

         C.       a lump sum amount, equal to: (A) two (2) times your then
                  current Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the date of
                  the Change of Control; and (B) two (2) times the amount paid
                  to you, for the preceding calendar year immediately prior to
                  the date of the Change of Control, as a discretionary bonus;

         D.       any additional statutory obligations imposed by the EMPLOYMENT
                  STANDARDS ACT;

         E.       the right to retain and exercise all stock options, Employee
                  Participation Shares and other securities which have vested or
                  accrued during your employment with Draxis and which will
                  accrue or vest during the two (2) year period immediately
                  following the Change of Control, as if you were employed by
                  the successor employer for that two (2) year period.

     The payment referred to in paragraph 17(d)(1)(C), above, shall be
guaranteed and shall not be subject to set off or deduction as a result of your
obtaining alternate employment following termination or otherwise mitigating any
damages arising from termination. Further, notwithstanding 17(d)(1)(D) above,
the payment referred to in 17(d)(1)(C) above, is inclusive of all statutory
payments, including statutory termination and severance, which may be owed to
you following termination.

     The amounts paid to you pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to all
required deductions.

     Upon termination of your employment in accordance with this Section 17(d),
you shall return to Draxis all stock options, Employee Participation Shares and
other securities which have not vested or accrued during your employment with
Draxis, and will not vest or accrue during the two (2) year period following
termination of this Agreement.

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     (2) These payments and entitlements outlined in 17(d)(1) shall become due
and payable if, and only if;

         A.       there has been a Change of Control; and

         B.       within twelve (12) months following any Change of Control:

                  (i)      your employment is terminated without cause by Draxis
                           or by any successor employer to Draxis, as the case
                           may be; or

                  (ii)     by its conduct as described below, Draxis or any
                           successor employer to Draxis, as the case may be,
                           constructively terminates your employment by:

                           -  relocating the position and/or location of
                              your principal office more than twenty (20)
                              kilometers from the location of your office
                              on the date immediately prior to the Change
                              of Control, without your consent; or

                           -  materially reducing your title, reporting
                              relationship, responsibilities or authority
                              without your consent; or

                           -  reducing the salary paid to you by the
                              successor employer or terminating or
                              materially reducing the value of your
                              benefit programs, including, but not limited
                              to, life insurance benefits, accidental
                              death and dismemberment benefits, long term
                              disability benefits, extended health
                              coverage, dental benefit, which are referred
                              to in Section 3 above;

     C. and, you elect in writing to receive the payments outlined in Section
17(d)(1).

     (3) For purposes of this Agreement "Change in Control" means a transaction
or series of transactions whereby directly or indirectly;

         A.       any Person or combination of Persons acting jointly and in
                  concert (other than you or a corporation controlled directly
                  or indirectly by you) acquires a sufficient number of
                  securities of Draxis to materially affect the control of
                  Draxis as defined below. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
                  Person or combination of Persons acting jointly and in
                  concert, holding shares or other securities in excess of the
                  number which, directly or following the conversion or exercise
                  thereof, would entitle the holders thereof to cast twenty
                  percent (20%) or more of the votes attached to all shares of
                  Draxis which may be cast to elect directors of Draxis, shall
                  be deemed to affect materially the control of Draxis, in which
                  case the Change in Control shall be deemed to occur on the
                  date that is the later of the date that the security
                  representing one more than that required to cast twenty
                  percent (20%) of the votes attached to all shares of Draxis
                  which may be cast to elect directors of Draxis is acquired or
                  the date on which the Persons acting jointly and in concert
                  agree to so act;

         B.       Draxis shall consolidate or merge with or into, amalgamate
                  with, or enter into a statutory arrangement or business
                  combination with, any other Person (other than a corporation
                  controlled directly or indirectly by you) and, in connection
                  therewith, all or part of the outstanding shares of Draxis
                  which have voting rights attached thereto shall be changed in
                  any way, reclassified or converted into, exchanged or
                  otherwise acquired for shares or other securities of Draxis or
                  any other Person or for cash or any other property and control
                  of Draxis is thereby materially affected, as defined above, in
                  which case the Change in Control shall be deemed to occur on
                  the date of closing of the consolidation,

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                  merger, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or business
                  combination, as the case may be; or

         C.       Draxis shall sell or otherwise transfer, including by way of
                  the grant of a leasehold interest (or one or more Affiliates
                  of Draxis shall sell or otherwise transfer, including without
                  limitation by way of the grant of a leasehold interest)
                  property or assets aggregating more than fifty percent (50%)
                  of the consolidated assets (measured by either book value or
                  fair market value based on the most recent audited financial
                  statements) of Draxis and its Affiliates as at the end of the
                  most recently completed financial year to any other Person or
                  Persons, in which case the Change in Control shall be deemed
                  to occur on the date of transfer of the assets representing
                  one dollar more than fifty percent (50%) of the consolidated
                  assets;

other than a transaction or series of transactions which involves a sale of
securities or assets of Draxis with which you are involved as a purchaser in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and whether by way of participation in a
corporation or partnership that is a purchaser or by provision of debt, equity
or purchase leaseback financing (but excluding where your sole involvement with
such a purchase is the ownership of an equity interest of less than five percent
(5%) of the acquirer where the acquirer is a public company) and you and persons
acting jointly and in concert with you hold securities of the acquirer which,
directly, or following the conversion or exercise thereof, would entitle the
holders thereof to cast five percent (5%) or more of the votes attached to all
shares or other interests of the acquirer which may be cast to elect directors
or the management of the acquirer.

     Draxis shall use its reasonable best efforts to require any successor
(whether direct or indirect) to all or substantially all of its shares and/or
assets to expressly agree in writing to assume and to perform this Agreement in
the same manner that Draxis would have been required to perform it if no such
succession had occurred. If Draxis fails to obtain any such successor's express
written agreement prior to the effective date of such succession, such failure
shall be deemed to be a termination of your employment by Draxis and such
termination shall be deemed to have occurred on the date immediately prior to
the Change of Control date. In such event, at the discretion of Draxis, Section
17(b) or (c) will not be applicable, and Draxis shall pay to you those amounts
outlined in Section 17(d)(1) above and Section 17(h) shall be applicable.

(e) TERMINATION BY DRAXIS WITHOUT CAUSE UPON DISABILITY

     If, as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness, you are
unable to render services of substantially the kind and nature, and
substantially to the extent required to be rendered in accordance with this
Agreement, and if such incapacity is expected to continue for a period of at
least twelve (12) consecutive months from the date such incapacity commenced
("Absence Date") this Agreement may be deemed to be frustrated. Your employment
hereunder shall cease to be effective on the tenth (10th) day after written
notice of cessation of employment ("Notice of Cessation") to you, provided that
prior to such cessation Draxis has been furnished with the written certification
of a qualified medical doctor designated by Draxis and you jointly which states
that you are and are expected to continue to be for at least twelve (12)
consecutive months from the Absence Date, unable to render such services by
reason of such incapacity and the date upon which such incapacity commenced. If
Draxis and you are unable to agree on the designation of a qualified medical
doctor to make such determination, then each party shall designate a medical
doctor who, together, shall agree upon a third qualified medical doctor to make
such determination. The decision of the third medical doctor shall be binding on
Draxis and you. You consent to submit to such examination as may be required by
any such medical doctor or doctors.

     If your employment ceases pursuant to this Section, you shall be entitled
to receive a total amount equivalent to one (1) year of your then current Base
Salary, commencing on the date upon which the

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                                      -11-

Notice of Cessation is delivered and payable in twenty-four (24) regular
payments equivalent to your regular semi-monthly Base Salary on the regular
Draxis pay days. If you are in receipt of disability benefits payable pursuant
to the benefit plans described above, then each semi-monthly payment payable by
Draxis shall be reduced by an amount equivalent to the disability benefits
payment received during that pay period. Notwithstanding the cessation of your
employment pursuant to this Section, you shall be entitled to retain and
exercise all stock options and Employee Participation Shares granted to you
during your employment with Draxis.

(f) DEATH

     In the event that you should die during the term of this Agreement, your
employment shall automatically terminate.  All salary, vacation pay and any
bonus payments earned to date of death but unpaid will be paid to your
estate, however, no other payment of any compensation either by way of
anticipated earnings or damages of any kind shall be paid and Section 17(h)
shall be applicable.

(g) RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT

     You shall provide Draxis with three (3) months' notice, in writing, of your
resignation or your retirement from Draxis. Unless the Board of Directors of
Draxis otherwise determines, you shall return to Draxis all stock options and
Employee Participation Shares granted to you during your employment with Draxis
which become exercisable after the date you cease to be an employee of Draxis or
any of its Affiliates.

(h) NO FURTHER NOTICE OR COMPENSATION

     Upon termination of your employment under this Agreement, you shall not be
entitled to any further grants of stock options or Employee Participation Shares
nor shall you be entitled to any further participation in the Stock Ownership
Plan or any other incentive plan of Draxis other than as specifically set forth
in Sections 17(d)(E), 17(e) and this 17(h). For further clarity, in the event of
termination of this Agreement and your employment hereunder for any reason, the
provisions of Section 17(d)(E) and 17(e), and the terms provided in the event of
termination under the Draxis Stock Option Plan, Stock Purchase and Bonus Plan,
Stock Ownership Plan and Employee Participation Share Purchase Plan shall apply.
For all purposes, "termination of your employment" and "termination date" shall
be the final day of employment with Draxis, and shall not be deemed to include
any period during which you may be entitled to statutory notice, statutory
termination pay or any contractual or common law notice period and in
particular, shall not be deemed to include the notice period identified in
Sections 17(c) (1) or 17(d) (1) (C).

18. FAIR AND REASONABLE

     The parties confirm that the notice requirements and pay in lieu of notice
provisions set out above in Section 17 are fair and reasonable and that no
further notice or payments of any kind are owed or required. The parties agree
that upon any termination of this Agreement by Draxis or upon any termination of
this Agreement by you, that you shall have no action, cause of action, claim or
demand, either statutory or at common law, against Draxis or any other Person as
a consequence of such termination.

19. RETURN OF PROPERTY

     In the event your employment with Draxis is terminated for any reason,
including resignation or retirement, you will immediately return all Draxis
property in your possession or under your control.

<PAGE>
                                      -12-

20. PROVISIONS OPERATING FOLLOWING TERMINATION

     Notwithstanding any termination of your employment with or without cause,
Sections 16, 17, 18, 19 and any provision of this Agreement necessary to give it
efficacy shall continue in full force and effect following such termination.

21. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

     You acknowledge that Draxis shall not, for any purpose, including in the
event of a subsequent termination, be required to recognize or take into account
any prior service with Beard, Winter.

22. SEVERABILITY

     If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision or part thereof and the remaining part of such
provision and all other provisions hereof shall continue in full force and
effect.

23. NOTICE

     Any notice to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be given in
writing and may be given by personal delivery or by registered mail addressed to
the recipient as follows:

         To:      Douglas M. Parker
                  321 Glen Road
                  Toronto Ontario M4W 2X4

         To:      Draxis Health Inc.
                  6870 Goreway Drive, 2nd Floor
                  Mississauga, Ontario
                  L4V 1P1
                  Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer

or such other address or individual as may be designated by notice by either
party to the other. Any notice given by personal delivery or by fax shall be
deemed to have been given on the day of actual delivery and, if made or given by
registered mail on the third (3rd) day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
statutory holiday in Ontario, following the deposit thereof in the mail.

24. GOVERNING LAW

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the Province of Ontario.

25. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT

     This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon your
heirs, executors, administrators and legal personal representatives and the
successors and assigns of Draxis respectively.

<PAGE>
                                      -13-

26. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

     This Agreement and the Draxis Code of Ethics constitute the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to your terms and conditions of
employment and cancel and supersede any prior understandings and agreements
between the parties to this Agreement, save and except as provided in Section 9
of the Original Agreement. There are no representations, warranties, forms,
conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements expressed, implied or
statutory between the parties other than as expressly set forth in this
Agreement and the Draxis Code of Ethics. You waive any right to assert a claim
in tort based on any pre-contractual representations, negligent, or otherwise,
made by Draxis.

     To acknowledge that the terms of employment as expressed in this Agreement
are acceptable to you, please execute the enclosed copy of this letter as
indicated below and return it to me at your earliest opportunity.

                                         Yours truly,

                                         DRAXIS HEALTH INC.

                                   Per:  /s/ Martin Barkin
                                         -------------------------------
                                         Martin Barkin, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer

     I accept the above-noted terms of employment with Draxis as General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, and in consideration of my continued employment with
Draxis and the payment of $5.00, the sufficiency and receipt of which is
acknowledged, I agree to comply with and be bound by the terms of employment
outlined in this Agreement.

     Dated at Mississauga, the 13th day of October, 2000.

/s/ Olha Luszowski                        /s/ Douglas M. Parker
---------------------------------         --------------------------------------
Witness                                   Douglas M. Parker

<PAGE>
                                      -14-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
1.  Employment ..........................................................1
2.  Base Salary .........................................................1
3.  Benefits ............................................................2
4.  Stock Option Plan ...................................................2
5.  Deferred Share Unit Plan ............................................2
6.  Stock Ownership Plan ................................................2
7.  Employee Participation Share Purchase Plan ..........................2
8.  Discretionary Bonus .................................................3
9.  Interest Free Loan ..................................................3
10. Memberships and Publications.........................................3
11. Vacation.............................................................3
12. Management Development Support ......................................3
13. Expenses............ ................................................4
14. Deductions...........................................................4
15. Employee's Covenants.................................................4
16. Confidential Information, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition ......4
    (a) Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information                       4
    (b) Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition                             6
    (c) Reasonableness                                                   6
    (d) Breach of Agreement                                              7
17. Termination of Employment............................................7
    (a) Termination by Draxis for Cause                                  7
    (b) Termination by Draxis Without Cause But With Notice              7
    (c) Termination by Draxis Without Cause and Without Notice           7
    (d) Termination Payment Following a Change of Control                8
    (e) Termination by Draxis Without Cause upon Disability             10
    (f) Death                                                           11
    (g) Resignation and Retirement                                      11
    (h) No Further Notice or Compensation                               11
18. Fair and Reasonable ................................................11
19. Return of Property .................................................11
20. Provisions Operating following Termination .........................12
21. Acknowledgement ....................................................12
22. Severability .......................................................12
23. Notice .............................................................12
24. Governing Law ......................................................12
25. Benefit of Agreement................................................12
26. Entire Agreement ...................................................13
</TABLE><PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 4.22

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

                          SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

      Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to consider and, if thought
fit, pass a resolution, the text of which is set forth in Schedule A to this
Management Proxy Circular to approve, ratify and confirm the adoption of the
Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement (the "Rights Plan").  The full text of the
Rights Plan is set forth in Schedule B to this Management Proxy Circular.

      The Board of Directors has determined that the Rights Plan is in the
best interests of the Corporation and unanimously recommends that
shareholders vote in favour of the Rights Plan.

      The Rights Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 23, 1997
subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and will continue in
effect if shareholders approve the Rights Plan.  The Rights Plan is not being
implemented in response to any actual or proposed take-over bid for the
Corporation which is known to the directors.  Management believes that it has
an opportunity to increase product revenues in 1997 over 1996 levels as a
result of the proposed acquisition of Frosst Radiopharmaceuticals, the
acquisition of Spectro-Pharm Inc. in February 1997 and of Tican
Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in July 1996 and the receipt, expected later in 1997, of
final regulatory approvals for and the subsequent market launches of
ANIPRYL-Registered Trademark- in the United States and Modafinil in Canada.
Management is of the view that the increased revenues anticipated are not, as
of the date of this Management Proxy Circular, reflected in the market price
of the Shares.  As a result, the Board of Directors considered it appropriate,
at this time, to implement measures to encourage the fair treatment of
shareholders in connection with any take-over offer for the Corporation.  The
Rights Plan will allow more time for the Board of Directors to ensure that
shareholders are fully compensated for the value of their Shares.  A detailed
discussion follows on how the Rights Plan addresses concerns of shareholders.

      In considering whether to adopt the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors
considered the current legislative framework in Canada governing take-over
bids.  Under provincial securities legislation, a take-over bid generally
means an offer to acquire voting or equity shares of a corporation that,
together with shares already owned by the bidder and certain parties related
thereto, amount to 20% or more of the outstanding shares.

      The existing legislative framework for take-over bids in Canada
presents the following concerns for shareholders:

      (a)  TIME
           Current legislation permits a take-over bid to expire 21 days
           after it is initiated. The Board of Directors is of the view that
           this is not sufficient time to permit shareholders to consider a
           take-over bid and make a reasoned and unhurried decision.

      (b)  PRESSURE TO TENDER
           A shareholder may feel compelled to tender to a take-over bid
           which the shareholder considers to be inadequate, out of concern
           that in failing to do so, the shareholder may be left with
           illiquid or minority discounted shares. This is

                                        - 1 -

<PAGE>

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

           particularly so in the case of a partial take-over bid (a bid for
           less than all shares), where the bidder wishes to obtain a control
           position but does not wish to acquire all of the shares. The
           Rights Plan provides a shareholder with an approval mechanism
           which is intended to ensure that a shareholder can separate the
           decision to tender from the approval or disapproval of a
           particular take-over bid.

       (c) UNEQUAL TREATMENT
           The Board of Directors was also concerned that a person seeking
           control of the Corporation might attempt, among other things, a
           gradual accumulation of shares in the open market; the
           accumulation of a large block of shares in a highly compressed
           period of time from institutional shareholders and professional
           speculators or arbitrageurs; a partial offer that unfairly
           pressures shareholders; or an offer for any or all of the
           Corporation's common shares at what the Board of Directors
           considers to be less than full and fair value. The Rights Plan
           effectively prohibits the acquisition of more than 20% of the
           Corporation's common shares in such a manner. The Rights Plan is
           designed to encourage any bidder to provide shareholders with
           equal treatment in a take-over bid and full value for their
           investment.

PURPOSE

       The purpose of the Rights Plan is to give adequate time for
shareholders of the Corporation to properly assess the merits of a bid
without undue pressure and to allow competing bids to emerge. The Rights Plan
is designed to give the Board of Directors time to consider alternatives to
allow shareholders to receive full and fair value for their Shares. The
adoption of the Rights Plan does not affect the duty of the Board of
Directors to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests
of the Corporation and its shareholders.

       The issuance of the Rights (as defined below) will not in any way
alter the financial condition of the Corporation. The issuance is not of
itself dilutive, will not affect reported earnings per share and will not
change the way in which shareholders would otherwise trade Shares. By
permitting holders of Rights other than an Acquiring Person (as defined
below) to acquire shares of the Corporation at a discount to market value,
the Rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires
20% or more of the voting securities of the Corporation other than by way of
a Permitted Bid (as defined below) or other than in circumstances where the
Rights are redeemed or the Board of Directors waives the application of the
Rights Plan.

       The Rights Plan should provide adequate time for shareholders to
assess a bid and to permit competing bids to emerge. It also gives the Board
of Directors sufficient time to explore other options. A potential bidder can
avoid the dilutive features of the Rights Plan by making a bid that conforms
to the requirements of a Permitted Bid.

       To qualify as a Permitted Bid, a take-over bid must be made to all
holders of Shares and must be open for 60 days after the bid is made. If at
least 50% of the Shares held by persons independent of the bidder are
deposited or tendered pursuant to the bid and not withdrawn, the

                                        - 2 -

<PAGE>

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

bidder may take up and pay for such Shares. The bid must then remain open
for a further period of 10 clear business days on the same terms.

       The requirements of a Permitted Bid enable each shareholder to make
two separate decisions. First, a shareholder will decide whether the bid or
any competing bid is adequate on its own merits. In making this decision the
shareholder need not be influenced by the likelihood that the bid will
succeed. If there is sufficient support such that at least 50% of the
independently held Shares have been tendered, a shareholder who has not
already tendered to that bid or to a competing bid will have a further 10
business days to decide whether to withdraw his or her Shares from a
competing bid, if any, and whether to tender to the bid.

       A large number of publicly-held corporations in Canada and the United
States have adopted shareholder rights plans.

SUMMARY

       The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Rights Plan
which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Rights
Plan attached as Schedule B to this Management Proxy Circular.

EFFECTIVE DATE

       The Rights Plan became effective on April 23, 1997 (the "Effective
Date"), the date upon which the Board of Directors approved the Rights Plan
subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

TERM

       The term of the Rights Plan is five years, subject to ratification by
the shareholders at the Meeting.

SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

       For the Rights Plan to continue in effect following the Meeting, the
Rights Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting
by shareholders voting in person or by proxy.

ISSUE OF RIGHTS

       Once all necessary regulatory approvals have been received, one right
(a "Right") will be issued and attached to each outstanding Share.

RIGHTS EXERCISE PRIVILEGE

       The Rights will separate from the shares to which they are attached
and will become exercisable at the time (the "Separate Time") that is eight
trading days after the earlier of a

                                        - 3 -

<PAGE>

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

person having acquired, or the commencement, announcement or other date
determined by the Board of Directors in respect of a take-over bid to
acquire, 20% or more of the Shares, other than by an acquisition pursuant to
a take-over bid permitted by the Rights Plan (a "Permitted Bid").

       The acquisition of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Rights
Plan) by any person (an "Acquiring Person"), including others acting in
concert, of 20% or more of the Shares, other than by way of a Permitted Bid,
is referred to as a "Flip-in Event". Under the Rights Plan, there are certain
exceptions to that rule, including (i) the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the
Corporation, (ii) a person who acquires 20% or more of the outstanding Common
Shares through, among other things, a share redemption or a Permitted Bid,
(iii) an underwriter or selling group member during the course of a public
distribution; or (iv) investment and fund managers, trust companies and other
persons who are managing investment funds, pension funds or plans, estates or
accounts on behalf of another person. Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person
on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the first date of public
announcement by the Corporation or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring
Person has become such, will become void upon the occurrence of a Flip-in
Event.

       Eight trading days after the occurrence of the Flip-in Event, the
Rights (other than those held by the Acquiring Person) will permit the holder
to purchase, for the exercise price of the Rights, Shares having a value
(based on the then prevailing market price) equal to twice such exercise
price (i.e., at a 50% discount). The exercise price of the Rights will be
equal to five times the prevailing market price at the Separation Time.

       The issue of the Rights is not initially dilutive. Upon a Flip-in
Event occurring and the Rights separating from the attached shares, reported
earnings per Share on a fully diluted or non-diluted basis may be affected.
Holders of Rights who do not exercise their Rights upon the occurrence of a
Flip-in Event may suffer substantial dilution.

CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERABILITY

       Prior to the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend
imprinted on certificates for Shares issued from and after the Effective
Date. Rights are also attached to such shares outstanding on the Effective
Date, although share certificates issued prior to that date will not bear
such a legend. Prior to the Separation Time, Rights will not be transferable
separately from the attached shares. From and after the Separation Time, the
Rights will be evidenced by Rights certificates which will be transferable
and traded separately from the shares.

PERMITTED BID REQUIREMENTS

       The requirements of a Permitted Bid include the following:

          (i)   the take-over bid must be made by way of a take-over bid
                circular to all holders of Shares;

          (ii)  the take-over bid must not permit Shares tendered pursuant to
                the take-over bid to be taken up prior to the expiry of a
                period of not less than 60

                                        - 4 -

<PAGE>

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

                days and only if at such time more than 50% of the Shares
                held by shareholders other than the bidder, its affiliates,
                associates and persons acting jointly or in concert with the
                bidder (the "Independent Shareholders") have been tendered
                pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn; and

         (iii)  if more than 50% of the Shares held by Independent
                Shareholders are tendered to the take-over bid within 60 day
                period, the bidder must make a public announcement of that
                fact and the take-over bid must remain open for deposits of
                Shares for an additional 10 business days from the date of
                such public announcement.

       The Rights Plan allows a competing Permitted Bid (a "Competing
Permitted Bid") to be made while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing
Permitted Bid must satisfy all the requirements of a Permitted Bid except
that, provided it is outstanding for a minimum period of 21 days, it may
expire on the same date as the Permitted Bid.

WAIVER AND REDEMPTION

       The Board of Directors may, prior to a Flip-in Event, waive the
dilutive effects of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event
that would result from a take-over bid made by way of take-over bid circular
to all holders of Shares, provided that in such circumstances the Board shall
be deemed to have waived the application of the Rights Plan to any other
Flip-in Event occurring by means of a take-over bid made by way of a
take-over bid circular to all holders of Shares. The Board of Directors may
also waive the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that has
occurred through inadvertence, provided that the Acquiring Person that
inadvertently triggered such Flip-in Event reduces its beneficial holdings to
less than 20% of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation within 14
days or such other period as may be specified by the Board of Directors. At
any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Board of Directors
may with the prior approval of the holders of the Shares or the Rights redeem
all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Rights at a price of $0.001
each.

SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS

       The Corporation is authorized to make amendments to the Rights Plan to
correct any clerical or typographical error or, subject to subsequent
ratification by shareholders or Rights holders, to maintain the validity of
the Rights Plan as a result of changes in law or regulation. Prior to the
Meeting, the Corporation is authorized to amend or supplement the Rights Plan
as the Board of Directors may in good faith deem necessary or desirable. No
such amendments have been made to date. The Corporation will issue a press
release relating to any significant amendment made to the Rights Plan prior
to the Meeting and will advise the shareholders of any such amendment at the
Meeting. Other amendments or supplements to the Rights Plan may be made with
the prior approval of shareholders or Rights holders.

                                        - 5 -

<PAGE>

Approved at July 8, 1997 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHTS PLAN IS IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF THE RESOLUTION
APPROVING, RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING THE RIGHTS PLAN. Such resolution requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders who vote
in person or by proxy in respect of that resolution.

                                        - 6 -

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