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 Ended September 30,   For the Six Months 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 administrative expenses      10,243      9,923                          20,632       20,384                 
 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                    


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 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 Shareholders' Equity   $  207,641      $  215,166 
                                                                         
 Key Financial Statistics                                                
 Current ratio                                   2.0             2.9     
 Debt to equity ratio                            .30             .49     
 Book value per share                         $  8.15         $  7.61    
                                                                         


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