Exhibit 99.1
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                                  NEWS RELEASE


DAVID RADEKE, Chief Operating Officer
             (978) 282-1800                       December 1, 1999


                                    NUTRAMAX

     GLOUCESTER, MA -- NUTRAMAX PRODUCTS, INC. announced today that it has
entered into a Forbearance Agreement with its bank lenders and subordinated debt
holder, waiving all financial covenant defaults that would otherwise exist,
waiving all regularly scheduled principal payments and enhancing its
availability under its credit facility.  The new Forbearance Agreement extends
until February 5, 2000, subject to the sale of certain assets and the delivery
of a recapitalization proposal to the Company's lenders by December 15, 1999.

     "Our bank lenders have been superbly cooperative with us and understand the
problems the accounting restatement created for NutraMax.  With their support,
we have been able to reassure our vendors and customers, and create a sound
platform for the Company going forward," Radeke said.

     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.

     Visit NutraMax on the Internet at http://www.nutramax.com.

     Some of the information contained in this new release constitutes forward-
looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Section
21E of the Exchange Act.  Although the Company believes its expectations are
based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its
business operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not
differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

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