Medical Action Industries Reports Strong Second Quarter 2010 Fiscal Results

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $75,060,000, an increase of $1,236,000, or 1.7% above the $73,824,000 in net sales reported for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $3,987,000, or $.25 per basic and diluted share, up significantly from the $480,000, or $.03 per basic and diluted share, reported for the comparable three months of fiscal 2009.

Net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $145,747,000, a decrease of $5,472,000 or 3.6% from the $151,219,000 in net sales reported for the six months ended September 30, 2008. Net income for the six months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $7,637,000 or $0.48 per basic and diluted share, an increase of $4,611,000 or $0.29 per basic and diluted share from the $3,026,000 or $0.19 per basic and diluted share reported for the comparable six months in fiscal 2009.

"Medical Action's second quarter results reflect continued benefits from relative price stability in resin and products sourced from China-based vendors. We are continuing to see improvements at our Tennessee plant, with our new leadership team making positive changes in our business processes while our ongoing expenditures on capital equipment have contributed to improved quality and increased production efficiencies. We have a sharpened focus on sales and marketing to leverage relationships with customers and grow revenue in this highly competitive environment," said Chief Executive Officer and President Paul D. Meringolo. "While we are pleased with our results of operations, our reported earnings have only just returned to profitability levels attained in fiscal 2008. Together with our customers and vendor base we remain challenged by the unsettled economy, however we believe that excellent opportunities exist to grow revenues organically and efficiently manage costs. We have strengthened our balance sheet during the past two quarters which included a reduction of our debt from $60 million to $39 million. With our improved results of operations and financial condition we can now look for opportunities for acquisitions that could add to our product lines, supply chain and base of customers. With the changes we're making to build this solid foundation, Medical Action is now on its way to strengthening our market position and extending our leadership in the manufacturing and distribution of disposable medical devices."

Medical Action invites its shareholders and other interested parties to attend its conference call at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on November 6, 2009. You may participate in the conference call by calling (888) 334-3932 (domestic) or (973) 935-8511 (international); conference ID #34393624. The conference call will be simultaneously web cast on our website: www.medical-action.com. The complete call and discussion will be available for replay on our website beginning at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on November 6, 2009.

Medical Action is a diversified manufacturer and distributor of disposable medical devices and a leader in many of the markets where it competes. Its products are marketed primarily to acute care facilities in domestic and certain international markets. The Company has expanded its target market to include physician, dental and veterinary office, out-patient surgery centers, long-term care facilities and laboratories. Medical Action's products are marketed nationally by its direct sales personnel and extensive network of healthcare distributors. The Company has preferred vendor agreements with national and regional distributors, as well as sole and multi-source agreements with group purchasing organizations. Medical Action's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MDCI and is included in the Russell 2000 Index.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties regarding Medical Action's operations and future results. Please see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs, which identify specific factors that would cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

MEDICAL ACTION INDUSTRIES INC.
Financial Highlights
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                              For the Three Months      For the Six Months
                              Ended September 30,       Ended September 30,
                              2009         2008         2009         2008
                              (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
Statements of Operations:
Net sales                     $    75,060  $    73,824  $   145,747  $   151,219
Cost of sales                      57,831       62,552      111,596      124,897
Gross profit                       17,229       11,272      34,151       26,322
Selling, general and               10,243       9,923       20,632       20,384
administrative expenses
Interest expense, net              363          629         833          1,113
Income before income taxes         6,623        720         12,686       4,825
Income tax expense                 2,636        240         5,049        1,799
Net income                    $    3,987   $    480     $   7,637    $   3,026
Net income per share basic    $    .25     $    .03     $   .48      $   .19
Net income per share diluted  $    .25     $    .03     $   .48      $   .19

Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 and
March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands)
                                           September 30,    March 31,
                                           2009             2009
                                           (Unaudited)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                  $       5,794    $       3,459
Accounts receivable, net                           20,727           21,459
Inventories, net                                   35,301           43,221
Prepaid expenses and other current assets          5,608            6,404
Total Current Assets                               67,430           74,543
Property, plant and equipment, net                 40,776           40,313
Goodwill                                           80,699           80,699
Other intangible assets, net                       15,159           15,886
Other assets, net                                  3,577            3,725
Total Assets                               $       207,641  $       215,166
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Accounts payable                           $       11,287   $       8,190
Accrued expenses                                   11,785           10,643
Deferred income taxes                              14,282           14,282
Total debt                                         39,044           60,046
Shareholders' equity                               131,243          122,005
Total Liabilities and                      $       207,641  $       215,166
Shareholders' Equity
Key Financial Statistics
Current ratio                                      2.0              2.9
Debt to equity ratio                               .30              .49
Book value per share                       $       8.15     $       7.61

SOURCE: Medical Action Industries Inc.

MEDICAL ACTION INDUSTRIES INC. 
Charles L. Kelly, 631-231-4600 
Chief Financial Officer