Exhibit 99

                            [Henry Schein Letterhead]

                                      FOR:          Henry Schein, Inc.
                                      CONTACT:      Steven Paladino
                                                    Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                                    (516) 843-5500

                                                    Susan Vassallo
                                                    Manager, Investor
                                                    and Public Relations
                                                    (516) 843-5562
                                                    svassa@henryschein.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                    Investor Relations:
                                                    Robert P. Jones/Jill Ruja
                                                    Press:  Stacy Berns
                                                    Morgen-Walke Associates
                                                    (212) 850-5600



                HENRY SCHEIN, INC. AFFILIATE RESPONDS TO U.S. FDA


     Melville,  NY --  January  11,  1999 -- Henry  Schein,  Inc.  (Nasdaq:HSIC)
announced  today that Novocol  Pharmaceutical  of Canada,  Ltd.,  (Novocol),  an
affiliated company in which it owns a non-controlling  interest,  has received a
Warning  Letter  from the  United  States  Food and  Drug  Administration  (FDA)
regarding  Novocol's  compliance  with  current  Good  Manufacturing   Practices
(cGMP's) of its dental anesthetic products. Henry Schein's equity in earnings of
this  unconsolidated  affiliate  is  estimated  at $1.6  million  for  1998.  In
addition,  these products  represented  $15 million of Henry Schein's  estimated
1998 sales.

    In  cooperation  with the FDA,  Novocol is conducting a voluntary  recall of
certain product batches and has temporarily suspended shipping these products to
the United States. Additionally, at the request of the FDA, Novocol is reviewing
all  protocols  and  policies  regarding  the  manufacturing  of the  anesthetic
products and is working  closely with the FDA to resolve these issues as quickly
as  possible.  However,  Novocol is unable at this time to estimate  how long it
will take to resolve these issues with the FDA.





     Henry Schein,  Inc. is the largest  distributor of healthcare  products and
services to officebased healthcare practitioners, including dental practices and
laboratories,   physician  practices  and  veterinary   clinics.   The  Company,
recognized for its excellent  customer service and low prices,  serves more than
250,000 customers worldwide.  Henry Schein's world headquarters are in Melville,
N.Y.   For   more    information,    visit   the   Henry   Schein   website   at
http://www.henryschein.com.

    Certain  information  contained herein includes  information that is forward
 looking. The matters referred to in forward looking statements may be affected
by the risks and uncertainties involved in the Company's business. These forward
looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements
     contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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