PSS World Medical Forms Exclusive Product Agreement With Biosound Esaote, Inc.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 1999--PSS World Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:PSSI) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Physician Sales and Service, Inc., had signed an exclusive distributorship agreement with Biosound Esaote, Inc., a subsidiary of Esaote, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, PSS World Medical will market and sell Biosound's AU3A annular phased array ultrasound system to physicians across the nation served by PSS World Medical. Biosound designs, manufactures and markets multi-parameter ultrasound imaging systems, probes, image management systems and supplies.

John F. Sasen, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of PSS World Medical, Inc., said, "Biosound provides the cost-effective, value brand of ultrasound systems for which our physicians have been looking. Through this exclusive partnership, PSS World Medical will now be able to bring Biosound's high-quality ultrasound systems directly to our FPs, GPs, internists and cardiologists. We are pleased that Biosound has become a platinum level supplier to PSS."

PSS World Medical is the largest distributor of medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals to office-based physicians in the United States through its Physician Sales & Service Division. Through its Gulf South Medical Supply subsidiary, the Company is the largest national distributor of medical supplies and related products to the long-term care industry. In addition, the Company is the largest distributor of medical diagnostic imaging supplies, chemicals, equipment, and service to the acute care and alternate-care markets through its subsidiary, Diagnostic Imaging, Inc.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information that are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties detailed in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including business and economic conditions, as well as conditions affecting the health care industry, competitive forces and the ability to integrate acquired operations successfully, that could cause results to differ materially from those projected.