Exhibit 99.1

November 4, 2003

FOR:
MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
402 West County Road D
St. Paul, MN 55112
Contact: Stephen Anderson (877) 715-7236

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Improved Margins And Lower Expenses Contribute To Profitable Quarter

ST.     PAUL, November 4, 2003 – MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. (AMEX-TOX), announced today results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. For the three-month period, revenues were $13,568,000, compared to $13,632,000 from the prior-year period. The Company recorded income before income tax for the quarter of $492,000, compared to income before income tax of $537,000 for the comparable period last year. Gross margin improved to 40.2% from 39.2% in the third quarter of 2002 and income from operations improved to $902,000 from $886,000. Net income was $383,000 compared to $11.3 million for the comparable period last year. The Company recorded a non-cash tax benefit of $10.8 million in the third quarter of 2002 related to its net operating loss carry forward.

Gross margin and operating expenses were positively impacted by staff reductions and expense control measures. Selling, general and administrative expenses, although flat with the third quarter last year, were reduced to 30.6% of revenues, as compared to 34.2% and 33.9% of revenues in the first and second quarters of this year respectively. Gross margin for the quarter of 40.2% of revenues compared favorably to gross margins of 38.0% and 38.5% for the first and second quarters of this year respectively.

The Company is continuing to take steps to further reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies. As previously disclosed, three LEAN projects were initiated in the Laboratory Services segment in the third quarter. These projects have progressed to the point that it can be determined that operating costs will be reduced further with the positive impact initially being recognized in the first quarter of 2004.

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
November 4, 2003
Page 2

The quarter also benefited from apparent improvements in the economy. Sample volume from the Company’s existing workplace drug testing clients, though not yet at the previous year’s level, showed an upturn from recent quarters. Additionally, new drug screening sales in the Laboratory Services segment continue to be strong. The Company continues to believe it will benefit as economic recovery impacts job creation and growth.

“Although the quarter was relatively even with the third quarter last year, considerable progress has been made when compared to the second quarter of this year,” said Dick Braun, CEO of MEDTOX. “Historically, the second and third quarter results are similar and the improvement shown is significant, as demonstrated by income from operations increasing to $902,000 in the quarter as compared to $186,000 in the second quarter.”

Margin improvement and lower operating expenses should also have a positive impact on the fourth quarter, which is historically the most challenging. With the prospects of a strengthening economy likely to lead to job growth in the near term, coupled with the prospect of additional operating efficiencies, the Company is optimistic with regard to 2004 results.

MEDTOX will hold a teleconference to discuss third quarter 2003 results today at 9:30 a.m. Central Time (10:30 a.m. Eastern). Dialing 800-387-5648 a few minutes prior to the scheduled start time on November 4 will access a listen-only broadcast of the teleconference. International callers may access the call by dialing 706-634-5527. Callers should ask for the MEDTOX quarterly conference call, hosted by Dick Braun, president and CEO of MEDTOX. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available on the MEDTOX website in the “investors” section at www.medtox.com. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through November 11 at 800-642-1687 conference ID # 3411839. International callers may access the replay at 706-645-9291 with the same conference ID #.

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
November 4, 2003
Page 3

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc., headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., is a provider of high quality specialized laboratory and on-site/point-of-collection (POC) devices. The company also supports customers with complete logistics, data and program management services. MEDTOX develops and manufactures diagnostic devices for quick and economical on-site/point-of-collection analysis for drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs and biological and agricultural toxins and provides employment drug screening and occupational health testing. MEDTOX is a leader in providing esoteric laboratory testing services to hospitals and laboratories nationwide. This includes both central laboratory and bio-analytical testing for pharmaceutical clinical trials. To be automatically alerted by e-mail about company information, please go to http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=tox&script=1900 and follow the directions on the page. For more information see www.medtox.com.

Note: Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ due to a number of factors including a change in the employment pattern of client companies, the ability of MEDTOX to acquire new business, and changes in the competitive environment. Further discussions of factors that may cause such results to differ are identified on page three of the Company’s 2002 annual report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
November 4, 2003
Page 4

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2003			2002			2003			2002
REVENUES:
Laboratory services	$	10,391		$	10,562		$	30,010		$	30,439
Product sales		3,177			3,070			9,186			9,462
		13,568			13,632			39,196			39,901
COST OF REVENUES:
Cost of services		6,804			7,104			20,006			20,184
Cost of sales		1,304			1,178			3,925			3,539
		8,108			8,282			23,931			23,723
GROSS PROFIT		5,460			5,350			15,265			16,178
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative		4,157			4,137			12,878			12,152
Research and development		401			327			1,233			905
		4,558			4,464			14,111			13,057
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		902			886			1,154			3,121
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net		(281	)		(332	)		(876	)		(1,025	)
Other expense, net		(129	)		(17	)		(363	)		(66	)
		(410	)		(349	)		(1,239	)		(1,091	)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT		492			537			(85	)		2,030
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT		(109	)		10,783			15			10,783
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	383		$	11,320		$	(70	)	$	12,813
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.08		$	2.36		$	(0.01	)	$	2.67
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.08		$	2.27		$	(0.01	)	$	2.55
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
OUTSTANDING:
Basic		4,949,336			4,804,106			4,937,937			4,793,793
Diluted		5,057,238			4,988,958			4,937,937			5,029,818

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
November 4, 2003
Page 5

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2003		December 31, 2002
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	568	$	439
Accounts receivable		9,095		9,398
Inventories		3,535		4,395
Other current assets		1,920		2,018
Total current assets		15,118		16,250
Building, equipment and improvements, net		15,270		14,769
Other assets		26,448		27,036
Total assets	$	56,836	$	58,055
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities	$	12,642	$	14,164
Long-term obligations		8,941		9,007
Stockholders' equity		35,253		34,884
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	56,836	$	58,055