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February 13, 2003

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The certification set forth below is being submitted to the Securities
and Exchange Commission solely for the purpose of complying with Section 1350 of
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code. This certification is not to
be deemed to be filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and does
not constitute a part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the "Report")
accompanying this letter.

         I, Edward J. Ludwig, the Chief Executive Officer of Becton, Dickinson
and Company, certify that:

         1.    such Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
               of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         2.    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
               material respects, the financial condition and results of
               operations of Becton, Dickinson and Company.


                                  /s/ Edward J. Ludwig
                             ---------------------------------
                             Name: Edward J. Ludwig
                                   Chief Executive Officer