FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.


NEWS RELEASE


Media Contact:                          Investor Contact:
Gia L. Oei, 603-929-2489                Carolyn Miller, 603-929-2381
E-mail: Gia.Oei@nh.fishersci.com        E-mail: Carolyn.Miller@nh.fishersci.com




 Fisher Scientific to Issue $150 million of 10-year Senior Subordinated Notes


HAMPTON, N.H., April 17, 2002 -- Fisher Scientific International Inc.
(NYSE: FSH) announced today that it has priced an offering of $150 million
principal amount of 8.125 percent senior subordinated notes due 2012. The
company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of
its bank term loans maturing through 2005. The notes will be offered in the
United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and outside the United States
pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and
may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an
applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The offering is
expected to close on or about April 24, 2002.


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Fisher Scientific to issue $150 million of 10-year senior subordinated notes - 2

About Fisher Scientific International Inc.
Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) enables scientific
discovery and clinical-laboratory testing services by offering more than
600,000 products and services to over 350,000 customers in approximately
145 countries. As a result of its broad product offering,
electronic-commerce capabilities, and integrated global logistics network,
Fisher serves as a one-stop source of products, services and global
solutions for many of its customers. The company's primary target markets
are scientific research and healthcare.

This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Fisher Scientific
has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and
projections about future events. Although Fisher Scientific believes that
its assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, no assurances can be given that its assumptions and
expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking
statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Fisher Scientific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this announcement
might not occur.

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