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NEWS RELEASE                    For:     MiniMed Inc.


                                Contact: Terrance H. Gregg
                                         President and Chief Operating Officer
                                         Kevin R. Sayer
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                         818-362-5958


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Investor Relations
                                         Robert P. Jones/Ephraim R. Bernstein
                                         (212) 850-5600
                                         Media:  Sheryl Seapy
                                         415-296-7383
                                         Morgen-Walke Associates


                   MINIMED INC. ANNOUNCES PATIENT NOTIFICATION


         Sylmar, California, November 19, 1999 -- MiniMed Inc. (Nasdaq: MNMD)
announced today that it is initiating a patient notification procedure relating
to a rare and minor software error which could occur in certain of its Model 508
insulin infusion pumps distributed since October 1999. MiniMed reported that
this situation may be created by a very specific programming sequence that some
users may possibly follow. The company stated that the issue has been addressed,
and all products shipped beginning today contain an upgraded version of the
software.

         Alfred E. Mann, MiniMed's Chairman and CEO, stated, "This situation was
identified quickly as a result of the strict performance monitoring which we
conduct on all of our products. A notification containing programming
instructions which will eliminate this potential occurrence has been sent to
those pump users who purchased Model 508 pumps from October 4 through November
18. We believe that the MiniMed 508 offers the state of the art in safety,
reliability and clinical benefit for patients who treat their diabetes with
continuous insulin infusion."

         Terrance H. Gregg, MiniMed's President and Chief Operating Officer,
added, "Our independent medical monitor confirmed for us that this anomaly does
not represent an urgent matter. In addition to the patient notification, we will
upgrade the software in the affected pumps early next year. Our estimated cost
for this activity is expected to range between $1 million and $1.5 million."






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         MiniMed Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets advanced
infusion systems with a primary emphasis on the intensive management of
diabetes. The Company's products include external pumps and related disposables,
a continuous glucose monitoring system product and the distribution of an
implantable insulin pump, which is currently approved for sale in the European
Community and has not yet been cleared for marketing in the U.S. The Company
also distributes other diabetes supplies and pharmaceutical products.

                              ___________________


         Any statements made by MiniMed in this press release that are
forward-looking, including statements relating to the costs associated with
upgrading the software in affected pumps, are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned
that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may affect
MiniMed's business and prospects, including changes in economic and market
conditions, the number of MiniMed employees or outside consultants available to
upgrade the affected pumps, administration and regulatory approval and related
considerations and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



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