X0202 4 2004-09-23 0 0001113481 MEDICINES CO /DE MDCO 0001204790 RICHARDS JOHN D THE MEDICINES CO 8 CAMPUS DR PARSIPPANY NJ 07054 0 1 0 0 Vice President Commom Stock 2004-09-23 4 M 0 1500 10.11 A 7100 D Common Stock 2004-09-23 4 S 0 1500 26.33 D 7100 D Option (Right to buy) 10.11 2004-09-23 4 M 0 1500 0 D 2004-09-23 2011-12-11 Common Stock 1500 9866 D The common stock sales reported on this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 program adopted by Mr. Richards on March 23, 2004. As of 9/23/2004, the original grant (15,000 shares granted on 12/11/2001) was vested with respect to 10,313 of the shares covered thereby. After the exercise of the options reported hereby,as of 9/23/2004, 5,179 of the shares covered by the option were vested but not exercised and the remaining 4,687 of the shares covered by the option vest in equal monthly installments ending on 12/11/2005. /s/ John D. Richards 2004-09-24