SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

                                  ------------

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 22, 2002


                              The Medicines Company
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               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


          Delaware                      000-31191                04-3324394
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(State or Other Jurisdiction           (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
     of Incorporation)                 File Number)          Identification No.)


        5 Sylvan Way, Suite 200
        Parsippany, New Jersey                                     07054
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                         (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (973) 656-1616


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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)






ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On October 22, 2002, The Medicines Company announced its financial
results for the quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 2002.

         The full text of the press release issued in connection with the
announcement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits.

         Exhibit No.     Description
         -----------     -----------

         99.1            Press release dated October 22, 2002 entitled "The
                         Medicines Company Reports Third Quarter 2002 Financial
                         Results."









                                    SIGNATURE


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.




Date: October 25, 2002            THE MEDICINES COMPANY


                                  By: /s/ Steven H. Koehler
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Steven H. Koehler
                                      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





                         EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.            Description
-----------            -----------

99.1                   Press release dated October 22, 2002 entitled "The
                       Medicines Company Reports Third Quarter 2002 Financial
                       Results."