November 30, 1999




The Board of Directors
of Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
1600 West Merit Parkway
South Jordan, Utah  84095

         Re:      Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
                  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

         As counsel to Merit  Medical  Systems,  Inc., a Utah  corporation  (the
"Company"),  in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration  Statement") to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, for registration of 1,600,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, no
par value, of the Company to be offered, sold and issued by the Company pursuant
to the Merit  Medical  Systems,  Inc.  1999 Omnibus  Stock  Incentive  Plan (the
"Plan"), we have examined the originals or certified,  conformed or reproduction
copies of all such  records,  agreements,  instruments  and documents as we have
deemed  necessary  as the basis for the opinion  expressed  herein.  In all such
examinations,  we have assumed the  genuineness of all signatures on original or
certified  copies and the  conformity  to  original or  certified  copies of all
copies  submitted  to us as  conformed  or  reproduction  copies.  As to various
questions of fact relevant to the opinion hereinafter expressed,  we have relied
upon certificates of public officials and statements or certificates of officers
or representatives of the Company and others.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares,  when issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and
pursuant to the Registration  Statement,  will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                           Very truly yours,

                           PARR WADDOUPS BROWN GEE & LOVELESS

                           /s/ PARR WADDOUPS BROWN GEE & LOVELESS
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Merit  Medical  Systems,  Inc. on Form S-8 of our report  dated  March 16, 1999,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Merit Medical  Systems,  Inc. for
the year ended December 31, 1998

/s/ Deloitte & Touche, LLP
- ---------------------------
    Deloitte & Touche, LLP
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    November 30, 1999

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