Contact: Colleen White, Corporate Communications - 201-847-5369 Patricia Spinella, Investor Relations - 201-847-5453 BD BOARD DECLARES DIVIDEND Franklin Lakes, NJ (May 25, 2004) - The Board of Directors of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) has declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per common share. The dividend will be payable on June 30, 2004 to holders of record on June 9, 2004. The indicated annual dividend rate is 60 cents per share. BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, BD reported total revenues of $4.528 billion.