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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 fgHTO0tVYBnFJ6yIgT013A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000930184-03-000006.txt : 20030822
<SEC-HEADER>0000930184-03-000006.hdr.sgml : 20030822
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030822152403
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000930184-03-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030820
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030822

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RIBAPHARM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001116613
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				954805655

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 WYLAND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		C/O ICN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7144276236

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 WYLAND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		C/O ICN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ICN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000930184
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31294
		FILM NUMBER:		03862402

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 HYLAND AVE
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7145450100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 HYLAND AVE
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ICN MERGER CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940915
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-20</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001116613</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RIBAPHARM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000930184</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ICN PHARMACEUTICALS INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3300 HYLAND AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COSTA MESA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92626</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20729547</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.25</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>140829547</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>N/A</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">ICN acquired the securities pursuant to its tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Ribapharm common stock not owned by ICN or its affiliates.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">ICN acquired the securities for $6.25 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">ICN owns the acquired securities through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rx Acquisition Corporation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Eileen C. Pruette</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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