Exhibit 99.1
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                                 NEWS RELEASE

DAVID RADEKE, Chief Operating Officer                           IMMEDIATE
(978) 282-1800                                                  January 4, 2000


                 NUTRAMAX COMPLETES SALE OF OPTOPICS DIVISION

   GLOUCESTER, MA -- NUTRAMAX PRODUCTS, INC. announced today that it has
completed the sale of its Opthalmics Division, Optopics Laboratories, to Miza
Pharmaceuticals, USA. The net proceeds of the sale will be applied to pay down
certain amounts under the Company's credit facility with its senior lenders.

   NutraMax decided early last year to divest the Ophthalmics Division as a
necessary step to improve the financial performance of the Company and to
position NutraMax for future growth in its existing more profitable core areas.

   The sale to Miza satisfies NutraMax's objective to find a buyer that will
continue to service the existing customer base and retain the experienced staff
at Optopics.

   NutraMax is a leading consumer health care products company and the number
one manufacturer and marketer of Store Brand Disposable Douches, ready-to-use
Enemas, Pediatric Electrolyte Oral Maintenance Solutions, Disposable Baby
Bottles, Cough Drops, and Throat Lozenges. The Company also markets a broad line
of Toothbrushes, Dental Floss, and various First Aid Products for the hospital
and industrial safety markets. In addition, the Company offers a broad range of
pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities to a select group of contract
customers. NutraMax products are sold by supermarkets, drug chains, and mass
merchandisers under both store brand and control brands, including Powers, Sweet
'n Fresh(R), Pure & Gentle, Fresh 'n Easy, Pro Dental, American White Cross, and
NutraMax.