Exhibit 99.1
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NutraMax logo appears here

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                                 NEWS RELEASE


DAVID RADEKE, Chief Operating Officer                    IMMEDIATE
(978) 282-1800                                           December 21, 1999


                    NUTRAMAX UPDATES PROGRESS WITH LENDERS

     GLOUCESTER, MA -- NUTRAMAX PRODUCTS, INC. announced today that its bank
lenders have waived provisions of the December 1, 1999 Forbearance Agreement
requiring the sale of the Optopics division and requiring the lenders' receipt
of a refinancing proposal by December 15, 1999.  The Company submitted two
refinancing proposals to the lenders early last week, and each of the proposals
provided liquidity for the Company to pay and preserve its trade credit.

     David Radeke, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, noted that "Our
discussions to sell the Optopics division continue to proceed.  We are also
working closely with our lenders to ensure that the Company has a sound
financial platform for the future."

     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.
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     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.  Some
factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth
in the forward-looking statements include the Company's ability to implement its
refinancing proposals and the Company's ability to consummate the sale of the
Optopics division.

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NutraMax Products, Inc., 51 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
Tel: 978-282-1800 Fax: 978-281-0565