1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417-1880
www.bd.com



News Release

Contact:
--------                                                        [LOGO] BD
Camilla Jenkins / Media Relations - 201-847-5369                Indispensable to
Dean Paranicas / Investor Relations - 201-847-7102              human health


                BD BOARD AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL SHARE REPURCHASES

Franklin Lakes, NJ (September 17, 2001) -- The Board of Directors of BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) has authorized the Company to repurchase up
to 10 million common shares of the Company. The Company plans to use the shares
for general corporate purposes. Under the authorization the Company will
purchase the shares from time to time in open market or block transactions. As
of July 31, 2001, the Company reported shares outstanding of 258,544,900.

The Company said the new authorization is consistent with continued strong cash
flow and its commitment to maintain prudent debt ratios.

BD is a medical technology company that manufactures and sells a broad range of
supplies, devices and systems for use by healthcare professionals, medical
research institutions, industry and the general public.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements (as defined
under Federal securities laws) regarding the Company's performance, including
future revenues, products and income, or events or developments that the Company
expects to occur or anticipates occurring in the future. All such statements are
based upon current expectations of the Company and involve a number of business
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated
results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement.
Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from any
forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: competitive factors;
pricing and market share pressures; uncertainties of litigation; the Company's
ability to achieve sales and earnings forecasts, which are based on sales volume
and product mix assumptions, to achieve its cost savings objectives, and to
achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in connection with
acquisitions; changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions;
increases in energy costs; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw
materials and in the Company's ability to maintain favorable supplier
arrangements and relationships; changes in interest or foreign currency exchange
rates; delays in product introductions; and changes in health care or other
governmental regulation, as well as other factors discussed in this press
release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements.


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