<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001230484</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KENYON LAWRENCE A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PAR PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>300 TICE BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WOODCLIFF LAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07677</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>EVP-Finance Par Pharmaceutical</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lawrence A. Kenyon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
