ALARIS Medical Announces Supply Agreement With Zeneca to Distribute Anesthesiology Module With ALARIS Syringe Pumps.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1997--In a move designed to further broaden the company's global product offering, ALARIS Medical Inc. (NASDAQ:ALRS) Wednesday announced that its ALARIS Medical Systems Inc. subsidiary has entered into a supply agreement with Zeneca Limited to incorporate Zeneca's Diprifusor Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) module into ALARIS Medical Systems' P6000 intravenous syringe pumps for sale in certain international markets following regulatory approval.

The integration of the Diprifusor TCI module into ALARIS Medical Systems' P6000 intravenous syringe pumps will permit the pumps to be used with Diprivan, a short-acting anesthetic agent developed and distributed by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. This drug, which is distributed by Zeneca in pre-filled syringes, has been on the market since 1986 and has been administered to an estimated 190 million patients.

The P6000 syringe pump, which was designed for the price-conscious consumer, was launched by ALARIS Medical Systems outside the United States in the second quarter of 1997.

Diprifusor TCI is a computer-assisted drug delivery system which is intended to enhance the convenience and control of Diprivan for the intravenous induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Diprifusor TCI is designed to allow the anesthetist to control the target blood concentration of the drug and therefore, the depth of anesthesia, as required.

According to Zeneca, the system has been used successfully in a wide range of adult patients, for both in-patient and ambulatory procedures where the benefits of Diprivan, such as a low incidence of nausea and vomiting and fast recovery times, have been observed. The TCI control software incorporated in the Diprifusor was developed by Professor Gavin Kenny and colleagues at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Diprifusor TCI became commercially available in September 1996.

"We are very pleased to form an alliance with Zeneca and look forward to serving all the hospitals that are waiting for our product launch," said Thierry Caspar, international marketing director of ALARIS Medical Systems.

Commenting on the agreement, Michael Earl, international marketing manager, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, said, "The Diprifusor TCI concept has great appeal to a growing number of physicians who are eager to offer their patients the benefits of Diprivan, such as a low incidence of nausea and vomiting, and fast recovery times, with the added convenience of an easy-to-use delivery system."

ALARIS Medical, through its operating company ALARIS Medical Systems, is a leader in the international infusion systems market. Based on installed base of infusion pumps, ALARIS Medical has a number one or two market position in 11 Western European countries, the number three market position in Germany and Italy, the largest installed base of infusion pumps in Australia and Canada, and a developing position in Latin America and Asia.

This news release contains forward-looking statements which are based largely upon the company's expectations for demand and acceptance of new and existing products, technologies and opportunities, regulatory approvals and market and industry segment growth. Actual results could vary materially from these expected results due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, changes in the market, competition, government regulation and foreign operations. Such risk factors are detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Advanced Medical Inc. including Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1996, and the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, of ALARIS Medical Systems Inc., IVAC Overseas Holdings Inc. and IMED International Trading Corp., dated Sept. 9, 1997.

Previously known as Advanced Medical Inc., the company announced a name change to ALARIS Medical Inc., in May 1997. Its operating company, ALARIS Medical Systems Inc. is known for its IMED and IVAC brand names of intravenous infusion therapy systems.

The company's principal line of business is the design, manufacture and marketing of intravenous infusion therapy products, periodic patient monitoring instruments and related disposables. ALARIS Medical's products are distributed to more than 120 countries worldwide.

In addition to its San Diego world headquarters and manufacturing facility, the company also operates manufacturing facilities in Creedmoor, N.C., and Basingstoke, Hampshire, U.K., and Tijuana, Mexico. -0-

Note to Editors: Diprivan and Diprifusor are trademarks, the property of Zeneca Limited.

CONTACT: ALARIS Medical Inc., San Diego

Barbara Burkett, 619/458-7038

or

The Financial Relations Board Inc., Los Angeles

Stacy Roughan, 310/442-0599 (general info)

Moira Conlon, 310/442-0599 (investors/analysts)

Deanne Eagle, 212/661-8030 (media)