At Schering-Plough, the Pain Only Grows

In the meantime, Schering-Plough's business is withering. Last month -- just weeks after Hassan took over as the "savior" CEO -- Schering reported a 71% dive in first-quarter earnings as new generics wiped out nearly all domestic sales of the company's blockbuster drug Claritin. Even the company's backup star, a drug used to treat hepatitis C, lost some ground to new competition.

Hassan, known for his rescue work at Pharmacia, has pledged to turn the company around. But Sweig and even Hassan himself admit that recovery could take years.

"We think this turnaround will take much longer than some people recognize -- if it is achievable. And that's a big 'if,'" Sweig said. "But the new CEO deserves his chance."

The company, heavily dependent on Claritin sales for years, is now struggling to find new ways to replace its vanishing business. Going forward, the company hopes to focus on a half-dozen drugs -- rather than just one -- for its growth. But it currently has few new drugs in its pipeline. So for now, Hassan must try to grow profits with short-term fixes such as cost-cutting and layoffs.

Kogan's Zeroes

And he must deal with the huge challenges -- topped now by the sweeping criminal probe -- left behind by former CEO Richard Jay Kogan, who retired under heat last month. During Kogan's reign, the company slid from a top performer to the worst loser among big-cap drug stocks in just a few short years. The stock lost 37% in 2001, 38% in 2002 and -- prior to a big hit Friday -- was already down 19% so far this year. The stock fell 5.8% Friday morning, sinking to $17.80, on news of the criminal probe before recovering to trade at $18.44.

Investors haven't taken this punishment lightly. At the company's annual meeting last month, shareholders loudly complained about Kogan's leadership -- booing his $50 million severance package -- and threatened to replace the board of directors if it doesn't lead the company better going forward.

But they also warmly embraced Hassan and eagerly threw their faith behind him.

"I do like challenges, and I also like adventure," Hassan told investors, according to press coverage of the meeting. "And I see both of them here at Schering-Plough. We can turn it around."