BD Announces Results of Shareholder Votes at Annual Meeting

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced that at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders today, its shareholders approved management's "say-on-pay" proposal regarding executive compensation and voted to hold "say-on-pay" votes annually.

In other business, shareholders defeated two shareholder proposals, the first requesting that BD amend its By-Laws to allow 10 percent of the shareholders to call a special shareholders meeting, and the second for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Shareholders also re-elected all 14 Board members to one-year terms.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world.  BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

Contact:

Colleen T. White, Corporate Communications – 201-847-5369

Zachary A. Nagle, Investor Relations – 201-847-5453

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)