Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-206020

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 8, 2017

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated May 8, 2017

Becton, Dickinson and Company
$2,250,000,000
Common Stock

We are offering           shares (the “firm shares”) of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share (our “common stock”). We will receive all of the net proceeds from this offering.

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering           depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th ownership interest in a share of our          % mandatory convertible preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (our “mandatory convertible preferred stock”) (or           depositary shares if the underwriters in that offering exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional depositary shares in full) (the “concurrent offering”). The concurrent offering is being made by means of a separate prospectus supplement and not by means of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities being offered in the concurrent offering. This offering of our common stock and the concurrent offering are not contingent on one another.

We intend to use the proceeds of this offering, together with the proceeds of the concurrent offering and borrowings under the Term Loan Facility (as defined herein), to finance a portion of the Cash Consideration (as defined herein) payable in connection with the Bard Acquisition (as defined herein) and to pay related fees and expenses. The closing of this offering and the concurrent offering are not conditioned on each other or on the closing of the Bard Acquisition which, if completed, will occur subsequent to the closing of this offering. See “Summary—The Bard Acquisition” and “Use of Proceeds.”

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “BDX.” On May 5, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $185.40 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-22 and in our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our public filings).

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable within a 30-day period beginning on, and including, the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to           additional shares of our common stock (representing 10% of the firm shares being offered, the “additional shares” and, together with the firm shares, the “shares”) from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. See “Underwriting.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about          , 2017.

The date of this prospectus supplement is          , 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus supplement

Prospectus

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to give any information not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you constitute an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and

the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you is current only as of the respective dates of such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement which contains specific information about the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement also adds and updates information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information about us and securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering of shares. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus incorporate by reference important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.” If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated herein or therein by reference, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

As used in this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Becton, Dickinson,” “BD,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

References herein to “$” and “dollars” are to the lawful currency of the United States. The financial information presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus has been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement (of which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus form a part) and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished but not filed in accordance with SEC rules), on or after the date of this prospectus supplement until the termination of the offering under this prospectus supplement:

You may request a copy of our filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning the Office of the Corporate Secretary of Becton, Dickinson and Company, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, telephone (201) 847-6800 or by going to our Internet website at www.bd.com. Our Internet website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on our Internet website is not part of this prospectus supplement and, therefore, is not incorporated herein by reference.

Bard (as defined below) is also subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and files periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference room and by accessing the website of the SEC referred to above.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “pro forma” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of future operations and financial performance (including volume growth, sales and earnings per share growth, and cash flows) and statements regarding our strategy for growth, future product development, regulatory approvals, competitive position and expenditures. All statements that address our future operating performance or events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are, and will be, based on management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events, developments and operating performance and speak only as of their dates. Investors should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from expectations and projections. Investors are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Furthermore, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulations.

The following are some important factors that could cause actual results of our combined company, or either us or Bard individually, to differ from our expectations and, with respect to “Summary—Recent Developments—Bard,” Bard’s disclosed expectations, in any forward-looking statements. For further discussion of certain of these factors, see “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our future filings and Bard’s filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”

The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our or Bard’s or the combined company’s ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. In addition, certain risks associated with our or Bard’s industry and business described above and elsewhere herein and in our or Bard’s public filings may become more significant following consummation of the Bard Acquisition. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.

SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. Before making an investment decision, you should read the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and “Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our public filings, including in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference herein).

OUR COMPANY

We are a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. We lead in patient and health care worker safety and the technologies that enable medical research and clinical laboratories. We provide innovative solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, promote infection prevention, equip surgical and interventional procedures, and support the management of diabetes. We partner with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. We have nearly 50,000 associates across 50 countries who work in close collaboration with customers and partners to help enhance outcomes, lower health care delivery costs, increase efficiencies, improve health care safety and expand access to health.

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in November 1906, as successor to a New York business started in 1897. Our executive offices are located at 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, and our telephone number is (201) 847-6800. Our Internet website is www.bd.com. The information provided on our Internet website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and, therefore, is not incorporated herein by reference.

The Bard Acquisition

On April 23, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Bard Merger Agreement”) with C. R. Bard, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Bard”), and Lambda Corp., a New Jersey corporation and our wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Corp”). The Bard Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Corp will merge with and into Bard, with Bard surviving as our wholly owned subsidiary (the “Bard Acquisition”).

In the Bard Acquisition, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.25 per share of Bard (other than shares owned, directly or indirectly, by us, Bard or Merger Corp), will be converted into the right to receive (i) $222.93 in cash, without interest (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) 0.5077 of a validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock (the “Equity Consideration” and, together with the Cash Consideration, the “Bard Acquisition Consideration”). Under the terms of the Bard Merger Agreement, if the number of shares issuable as a result of the Bard Acquisition would exceed 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the entry into Bard Merger Agreement, the Equity Consideration will be adjusted downward by the minimum extent necessary so that no more than such number of shares becomes issuable in the Bard Acquisition, and the Cash Consideration will be correspondingly increased as set forth in the Bard Merger Agreement. The total implied value of Bard Acquisition Consideration will amount to approximately $24.0 billion (based on the Company’s closing stock price as of April 21, 2017), approximately $16.1 billion of which will be in the form of Cash Consideration. Completion of the Bard Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of Bard’s shareholders, and is expected to close in the fall of 2017. For additional information, see “Description of the Bard Acquisition.”

There can be no assurance that we will be able to consummate the Bard Acquisition on a timely basis or at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Bard Acquisition.” This offering is not contingent on the consummation of the Bard Acquisition.

We believe the combination will create a highly differentiated medical technology company uniquely positioned to improve both the process of care and the treatment of disease for patients and healthcare providers. The Bard Acquisition is expected to build on our leadership position in medication management and infection prevention with an expanded offering of solutions across the care continuum.

Financing of the Bard Acquisition

Concurrent Offering

Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement,           depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of our          % mandatory convertible preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds to us of $2.25 billion, plus up to an additional           depositary shares that the underwriters of such offering have the option to purchase from us, in each case, at the public offering price of $          per depositary share. The closing of the concurrent offering is not conditioned on the closing of this offering or the consummation of the Bard Acquisition. The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the concurrent offering. For more information, see “Concurrent Offering.”

Bridge Commitment

On April 23, 2017, in connection with the execution of the Bard Merger Agreement, we entered into a commitment letter (the “Bridge Commitment Letter”) with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”, and such financial institution, together with Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Barclays Bank PLC, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Bank of Nova Scotia, U.S. Bank National Association, Standard Chartered Bank, The Bank of New York Mellon, ING Bank N.V., Dublin Branch, The Northern Trust Company and Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ), New York Branch, being referred to as the “Bridge Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Bridge Commitment Parties have committed to provide a senior unsecured 364-day bridge loan facility (the “Bridge Facility”) for a total amount of $15.7 billion for the purpose of funding: (i) the Cash Consideration for the Bard Acquisition and (ii) the fees and expenses and any applicable premiums incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Bard Merger Agreement. The commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility will be automatically reduced, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, on a dollar-for-dollar basis by (i) the net cash proceeds of any issuance of notes by the Company, (ii) the net cash proceeds of the incurrence by the Company of certain other indebtedness for borrowed money, (iii) the net cash proceeds from any issuance of equity by the Company,

including the proceeds from the concurrent offering and the sale of the securities in this offering, (iv) the committed amount or (without duplication) the net cash proceeds of loans under the Term Loan Facility and (v) the net cash proceeds of certain sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business. The financing commitments of the Bridge Commitment Parties are currently undrawn and are subject to various conditions set forth in the Bridge Commitment Letter.

New Credit Facilities

On April 23, 2017, in connection with the execution of the Bard Merger Agreement, we entered into a commitment letter (the “Bank Facilities Commitment Letter”) with Citi, pursuant to which Citi has (A) committed to provide (1) $250.0 million of a senior unsecured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) expected to total up to $2.25 billion for the purpose of funding (i) a portion of the Cash Consideration for the Bard Acquisition and (ii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and (2) $250.0 million of either a refinancing or a replacement of our existing revolving credit facility, which shall result in us having a $2.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Bank Facilities”), for the purpose of funding (i) general corporate needs and (ii) the redemption or repurchase of Bard’s existing 1.375% notes due 2018 (the “Bard 2018 Notes”) and (B) agreed to act as arranger for the Bank Facilities to assist in arranging commitments from other financial institutions for the remaining $2.0 billion for each Bank Facility. The financing commitments of Citi are currently undrawn and are subject to various conditions set forth in the Bank Facilities Commitment Letter, including obtaining commitments from other financial institutions for at least $2.0 billion of the Term Loan Facility. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates have agreed to provide us with the New Credit Facilities. See “Underwriting.”

The balance of the financing in connection with the Bard Acquisition could take any of several forms or any combination of them, including but not limited to the following: (i) we may issue senior notes in the public and/or private capital markets; (ii) we may enter into one or more senior term loan facilities; (iii) we may use cash on hand; and (iv) we may draw funds under the Bridge Facility. See “Description of the Bard Acquisition.”

Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations and Redemption

On May 5, 2017, we commenced offers to exchange (collectively, the “Exchange Offers”) any and all of the outstanding $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Bard’s 4.400% Notes due 2021, $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Bard’s 3.000% Notes due 2026 and $149.82 million aggregate principal amount of Bard’s 6.700% Notes due 2026 (collectively, the “Exchange Offer Notes”) for up to approximately $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of new notes issued by BD and cash. Each new BD note will accrue interest at the same annual interest rate, have the same interest payment dates, same redemption terms and same maturity date as the existing Bard note for which it is exchanged.

In conjunction with the Exchange Offers, we are also soliciting consents (collectively, the “Consent Solicitations”), on behalf of Bard, to adopt certain proposed amendments to each of the indentures governing the Exchange Offer Notes to (i) eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants in the indentures and (ii) limit the reporting covenants under the indentures so that Bard is only required to comply with the reporting requirements under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Each Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is conditioned upon the completion of each other Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, although we may waive such condition at any time with respect to an Exchange Offer. Any waiver of a condition by us with respect to an Exchange Offer will automatically waive such condition with respect to the corresponding Consent Solicitation, as applicable.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made in a private transaction pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement dated May 5, 2017 (the “Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement”) and only to certain eligible holders of Exchange Offer Notes. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are initially scheduled to expire on June 5, 2017, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”), and holders who validly tender their Exchange Offer Notes prior to the Expiration Date will receive the consideration set forth in the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are subject to certain additional conditions, including the closing of the Bard Acquisition. We may amend, modify or waive these conditions other than the condition that the Bard Acquisition shall have been consummated. Holders who validly tender their Exchange Offer Notes before the early exchange date (currently May 18, 2017) will also receive the “early tender premium” set forth in the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement. Subject to applicable law and the terms of the applicable indenture governing the Exchange Offer Notes, holders are

permitted to withdraw their tendered notes and related consents upon the earlier of 5:00 p.m., New York time, on May 18, 2017 and the execution of the supplemental indenture to the corresponding series of Exchange Offer Notes implementing the applicable proposed amendments.

In addition, we expect a notice of redemption to be issued for all of the $500.0 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Bard 2018 Notes immediately prior to the closing of the Bard Acquisition.

This prospectus supplement is not an offer to exchange any Exchange Offer Notes and should not be construed as a notice of redemption for the Bard 2018 Notes. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made only by and pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement. This offering is not conditioned on the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations.

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, together with the proceeds of the concurrent offering and borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, to finance a portion of the Cash Consideration payable in connection with the Bard Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses. The proceeds of this offering together with the proceeds of the concurrent offering and the Term Loan Facility will reduce the commitments under the Bridge Facility. The balance of the financing in connection with the Bard Acquisition could take any of several forms or any combination of them, including but not limited to the following: (i) we may issue senior notes in the public and/or private capital markets; (ii) we may enter into one or more senior unsecured term loan facilities; (iii) we may use cash on hand; and (iv) we may draw funds under the Bridge Facility. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Bard

The information below about Bard has been derived from the periodic reports that Bard has filed with the SEC.

General

Bard and its subsidiaries are engaged in the design, manufacture, packaging, distribution and sale of medical, surgical, diagnostic and patient care devices. Charles Russell Bard founded Bard in 1907. In 1923, Bard was incorporated as C. R. Bard, Inc. and distributed an assortment of urological and surgical products. Bard became a publicly traded company in 1963 and began trading on the NYSE five years later. Currently, Bard sells a broad range of products to hospitals, individual healthcare professionals, extended care facilities and alternate site facilities on a global basis. In general, Bard’s products are intended to be used once and then discarded or either temporarily or permanently implanted. Bard participates in the markets for vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products. Bard’s product strategy is based on the following tenets, which are designed to position Bard for continued growth:

Bard’s execution of this strategy has helped Bard establish market leadership positions across its four product group categories.

Product Group Information

Bard reports its sales in four major product group categories: vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialties. Bard also has a product group of other products. The following table sets forth for the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the approximate percentage contribution by category to Bard’s consolidated net sales on a worldwide basis.

Vascular Products

Bard’s vascular products cover a wide range of minimally invasive devices for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease (“PVD”) and end-stage renal disease (“ESRD”). These products include: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (“PTA”) catheters, chronic total occlusion (“CTO”) catheters, guidewires, fabrics, meshes, introducers and accessories; valvuloplasty balloons; peripheral vascular stents, self-expanding and balloon-expandable covered stents and vascular grafts; vena cava filters; and biopsy devices. Bard’s low-profile catheter and high-pressure balloon technology has made Conquest®, Atlas® and Dorado® PTA catheters leading choices of clinicians for the treatment of arterial venous access stenosis and other PVDs. Bard began selling the Lutonix® drug-coated PTA balloon for the treatment and prevention of vascular disease in Europe in 2012 and in the United States in October 2014, upon receipt of regulatory approval from the FDA. Bard’s Ultraverse® and VascuTrak® PTA catheters and Crosser™ CTO catheter give Bard one of the broadest offerings in the small-vessel segment of the PVD market. Bard’s line of peripheral vascular stents, covered stents and vascular grafts includes the Flair® AV (arterial venous) Access Stent Graft, E•Luminexx® and LifeStar® Iliac Stents, and the LifeStent® family of stents approved for use in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal arteries. Bard’s vena cava filters product line includes devices that can be either permanently implanted or retrieved after the threat of blood clots traveling from the lower extremities to a patient’s lungs has passed. Bard also offers products for the treatment of ESRD through a broad line of long-term dialysis catheters with market leading products including GlidePath™, Equistream®, Decathlon®, Hickman® and Reliance® catheters. Bard also offers a market leading portfolio of automatic core needle biopsy devices including MaxCore®, Magnum®, the Mission™ lightweight semi-automatic biopsy device and the Marquee™ disposable core biopsy instrument. Bard’s Vacora® and Finesse® devices combine the benefits of a vacuum-assisted biopsy technology with a portable, self-contained needle system for the diagnosis of breast tumors. Bard offers a wide variety of products across the percutaneous breast biopsy and tissue marker segments. The EnCor® and EnCor Enspire® breast biopsy systems allow for ultrasound-, stereotactic- and MRI-guided breast biopsy procedures, and Bard’s breast tissue markers include the SenoMark®, StarchMark®, Gel Mark®, UltraClip® and UltraCor® product lines. In 2014, Bard began recording revenue related to royalty payments received from W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.

Urology Products

Bard’s urology products include basic urology drainage products, fecal and urinary continence products, urological specialty products and Targeted Temperature Management™ products. The Foley catheter, which Bard introduced in 1934, remains one of the most frequently used products in the urology field. Bard has a market-leading position in Foley catheters, including the infection control Foley catheter (Bardex® I.C. Foley catheter), which has been proven to substantially reduce the rate of urinary tract infections. Bard also has a line of intermittent self-catheters and male external catheters, primarily used in non-acute settings. In January 2016, Bard acquired Liberator Medical Holdings, Inc., a durable medical equipment supplier, to vertically integrate and expand its presence in the non-acute segment of the market. Other products include: fecal incontinence products; brachytherapy devices and radioactive seeds used to treat prostate cancer; intermittent urinary drainage catheters, urine monitoring and collection systems; ureteral stents; and specialty devices for stone removal procedures. Bard markets the proprietary line of StatLock® catheter stabilization devices, which are used primarily to secure peripheral intravenous catheters, thereby reducing restarts and other complications. These devices are also used to

secure many other types of catheters sold by Bard and other companies, including Foley catheters. In addition, Bard markets the Arctic Sun® system with proprietary ArcticGel™ pads providing therapy for patients requiring Targeted Temperature Management™.

Oncology Products

Bard’s oncology products cover a wide range of devices used in the treatment and management of various cancers and other diseases and disorders. These include specialty vascular access catheters and ports, vascular access ultrasound devices, dialysis access catheters and enteral feeding devices. Bard’s specialty vascular access products serve a well-established market in which Bard holds a leading position. The features and benefits of Bard’s broad line of peripherally inserted central catheters (“PICCs”) have allowed Bard to capitalize on this important segment of the specialty vascular access market. Bard’s PowerPICC® catheters and PowerPort® devices can also be used to inject contrast media at high flow rates. These devices eliminate the need to place an additional catheter in the significant number of PICC and port recipients who also require contrast enhanced CT (computed tomography) scans. Bard’s Site-Rite® vascular access ultrasound device and Sherlock™ tip locator system help nurses place a PICC at a patient’s bedside, making PICCs a more convenient and cost-effective treatment option. Bard’s 3CG Tip Confirmation System™ can be used in place of imaging technologies such as x-rays to confirm proper placement of the PICC prior to treatment. Both Sherlock™ and Sherlock 3CG™ can be integrated into the Site Rite® system facilitating bedside placement. For patients not requiring central venous access, Bard offers a wide range of midline catheters as well as guidewire-assisted peripheral intravenous lines.

Surgical Specialty Products

Bard’s surgical specialty products include implanted grafts and fixation devices for hernia and soft tissue repairs in addition to hemostats and surgical sealants. Bard’s soft tissue repair products consist of hernia repair grafts, including permanent synthetic and bioresorbable synthetic products, natural-tissue configurations, and hernia fixation devices. Bard has a full line of products for inguinal (groin) hernias including the Perfix® Plug and 3D Max® product lines. Bard has products for the repair of ventral (abdominal) hernias including the Ventrio®, Ventrio® ST, Ventralex®, Ventralex® ST and Ventralight® ST synthetic grafts. In addition, Bard markets the ECHO PS® Positioning System which helps facilitate mesh deployment in laparoscopic surgical repair. Bard also markets the Phasix™ line of products for both inguinal and ventral hernias. The product incorporates advanced polymer technology based on a fully resorbable platform that is resorbed naturally by the body over time. Bard’s Phasix™ ST incorporates an anti-adhesion layer allowing for laparoscopic placement. Bard’s line of natural-tissue products includes the XenMatrix® and Allomax® grafts used to repair complex ventral hernias and soft tissue reconstruction. Bard also sells XenMatrix® AB, the first of its kind anti-bacterial natural-tissue surgical graft. Bard’s hernia fixation devices include OptiFix™, a bioresorbable-tack fixation device and Capsure®, a permanent fixation device for use in laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. Bard also offers the Progel© surgical sealant, which is the only FDA-approved product available for intraoperative sealing of air leaks in connection with open, video-assisted and robotic thoracic surgery. Bard’s Arista® AH hemostat product line complements Bard’s Progel© surgical sealant technology and is a plant based hemostat that is used as an adjunct to mechanical techniques to control bleeding in a variety of surgical procedures.

International

Bard markets its products through subsidiaries to customers in over 100 countries outside the United States. The products sold in the international markets include many of the products described above. However, the principal markets, products and methods of distribution in Bard’s international businesses vary with market size and stage of development. Bard’s principal international markets are currently in Europe, China and Japan. Approximately 72% of international sales are of products manufactured by Bard in the United States, Puerto Rico or Mexico.

Bard’s foreign operations are subject to certain financial and other risks, and international operations in general present complex tax and cash management issues. Relationships with customers and effective terms of sale frequently vary by country. Trade receivable balances outside the United States generally are outstanding for longer periods than in the United States, particularly in Europe. Inventory management is also an important business concern due to the potential for rapidly changing business conditions and currency exposure. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations can affect income and cash flows of international operations. Bard attempts to hedge some of these currency exposures to help reduce the effects of foreign exchange fluctuations on the business.

THE OFFERING

The summary below contains basic information about this offering. It does not contain all of the information you should consider in making your investment decision. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and the information included or incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision. As used in this section, except where otherwise indicated, the terms “us,” “we” and “our” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company and not to any of its subsidiaries.

We intend to use the proceeds of this offering, together with the proceeds of the concurrent offering and borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, to finance a portion of the Cash Consideration payable in connection with the Bard Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses. See “Description of the Bard Acquisition” and “Use of Proceeds.”

Neither this offering nor the concurrent offering is conditioned on the consummation of the Bard Acquisition, and there can be no assurance that the Bard Acquisition will be consummated on the terms described herein or at all. If the Bard Acquisition is not consummated, we intend to use the proceeds of this offering and the proceeds of the concurrent offering, net of certain fees and expenses and net of the aggregate redemption amount paid in cash if we choose to exercise our option to redeem all of the mandatory convertible preferred stock underlying the depositary shares issued in the concurrent offering, for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, share repurchases or debt repayment.

The closing of the concurrent offering is not conditioned on the closing of this offering or the consummation of the Bard Acquisition. The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the concurrent offering. However, if the Bard Acquisition is not consummated on or before April 23, 2018, or, if prior to such date, the Bard Merger Agreement is terminated or we determine in our reasonable judgment that the Bard Acquisition will not occur, we may, at our sole option, redeem all of the mandatory convertible preferred stock underlying the depositary shares issued in the concurrent offering at a redemption amount (which may include cash, additional shares of our common stock or a combination of both) specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the concurrent offering.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if declared by our board of directors, out of any funds legally available for dividends. We will pay dividends on our common stock only if we have paid or provided for dividends on any outstanding series of preferred stock (including the mandatory convertible preferred stock underlying the depositary shares offered in the concurrent offering) for all prior periods.

Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised in this offering and the underwriters in the concurrent offering do not exercise their option to purchase additional depositary shares in the concurrent offering.

Risk factors

In evaluating an investment in the shares, prospective investors should carefully consider the risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in this prospectus supplement, including those described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-22, as well as the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, along with the other information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF BECTON DICKINSON

The following summary historical consolidated financial information for each of the six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 has been derived from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such interim financial information have been included. The following summary historical consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2016 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The following summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2014 has been derived from our consolidated financial statements not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Our operating results for the six months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future periods.

On March 17, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Carefusion Corporation (“Carefusion”) in which we acquired a 100% interest in Carefusion (the “Carefusion Acquisition”). Accordingly, our operating results for the periods following the CareFusion Acquisition may not be comparable to the periods prior to the CareFusion Acquisition.

This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto referred to above. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference” in this prospectus supplement.

Management provides non-GAAP measures to investors on a supplemental basis in addition to GAAP results, as these measures provide additional insight into the Company’s financial results. Management believes the non-GAAP results provide a reasonable measure of the Company’s underlying performance before the effects of items that are considered by management to be outside of the Company’s underlying operational results or that affect period to period comparability. However, non-GAAP results should not be considered in isolation and are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP results. Also, the Company’s non-GAAP results may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even if similar terms are used to identify such measures. Although management believes non-GAAP results are useful in evaluating the performance of its business, its reliance on these measures is limited since items excluded from such measures may have a material impact on the Company’s net income, earnings per share or cash flows calculated in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, management typically uses non-GAAP results in conjunction with GAAP results to address these limitations. Investors should also consider these limitations when evaluating the Company’s results.

Management uses each of these non-GAAP measures in its own evaluation of the Company’s performance, particularly when comparing performance to past periods and to the performance of peer companies. Management also uses the non-GAAP results for budget planning purposes on a quarterly and annual basis.

While we utilize these non-GAAP financial measures in managing and analyzing our business and financial condition and believe they are useful to management and to investors for the reasons described above, these non-GAAP measures have certain shortcomings. Management compensates for the shortcomings by utilizing EBITDA, adjusted revenues, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow in conjunction with comparable GAAP financial measures. The information presented in this section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Note: individual amounts have been rounded to ensure clerical accuracy.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF BARD

The following summary historical consolidated financial information as of and for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 has been derived from the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Bard incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The following summary historical consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Bard incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The following summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014 has been derived from Bard’s consolidated financial statements not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Bard’s operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future periods.

This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of Bard. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Bard believes that these non-GAAP measures provide an additional and meaningful assessment of Bard’s ongoing operating performance. Because Bard has historically reported non-GAAP results to the investment community, Bard also believes that the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures provides consistency in its financial reporting and facilitates investors’ understanding of Bard’s historic operating trends by providing an additional basis for comparisons to prior periods. Bard uses these non-GAAP measures: (1) to establish financial and operational goals; (2) to monitor the company’s actual performance in relation to its business plan and operating budgets; (3) to evaluate the company’s core operating performance and understand key trends within the business; and (4) as part of several components it considers in determining incentive compensation.

Bard recognizes that the use of these non-GAAP measures has limitations, including the fact that they may not be comparable with similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies and that Bard must exercise judgment in determining which types of charges or other items should be excluded from the non-GAAP information. Bard compensates for these limitations by providing disclosure of each non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. All non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement the applicable GAAP disclosures and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a replacement for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, please see the below tables.

Note: individual amounts have been rounded to ensure clerical accuracy.

SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2017 gives effect to (i) this offering and the concurrent offering (together, the “Equity Financing”), (ii) the financing of the Term Loan Facility and the Bridge Facility (the “Debt Financing”), and (iii) the Bard Acquisition, each as more fully described below in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, as if they each occurred as of March 31, 2017. The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income of the Company for the six-month period ended March 31, 2017 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 similarly give effect to the Equity Financing, the Debt Financing and the Bard Acquisition, as if they each occurred at the beginning of the period on October 1, 2015. The Equity Financing, the Debt Financing, and the Bard Acquisition are collectively referred to as the “Transactions.”

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our historical audited and interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and Bard’s historical audited and interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. Our financial statements are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, each of which have been incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements of Bard for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 are included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 8, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein. The historical interim financial information of Bard for the six months ended March 31, 2017 also was derived from Bard’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which are not included or incorporated by reference herein. The notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement describe the method of calculating the statement of income of Bard for the six months ended March 31, 2017. In order to conform Bard’s fiscal period to the Company’s for pro forma purposes, the annual 2016 and interim 2017 unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income presented elsewhere herein include Bard’s historical fourth calendar quarter of 2016 in both the annual and interim periods.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes unaudited pro forma adjustments that are factually supportable and directly attributed to the Transactions. In addition, with respect to the summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income, the unaudited pro forma adjustments are expected to have a continuing impact on the Company’s consolidated results. Assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, which should be read in conjunction with the summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information contained below and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that our management believe are reasonable. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of our financial position or results of operations that would have occurred had the events been consummated as of the dates indicated. In addition, the summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of our future financial condition or operating results.

Management expects that the strategic and financial benefits of the Bard Acquisition will result in certain cost savings opportunities. However, given the preliminary nature of those cost savings, they have not been reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for either period.

The Bard Acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations, which will establish a new basis of accounting for all identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as of the date control is obtained. Accordingly, the cost to acquire such interests will be allocated to the underlying net assets in proportion to their respective fair values. The fair value of Bard’s identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on a preliminary estimate of fair value as of March 31, 2017. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill. The allocation of purchase price is preliminary at this time, and will remain as such until we complete

valuations and other studies in order to finalize the valuation of the net assets acquired, which is not expected to be substantially completed until December 31, 2017. The final allocation of the purchase price is dependent on a number of factors, including the final valuation of the fair value of all tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the closing date of the Bard Acquisition when additional information will be available. Such final adjustments, including changes to amortizable tangible and intangible assets, may be material.

For pro forma purposes only, the purchase price allocation discussed above was based on the value of the Company’s common stock expected to be transferred as part of the purchase consideration as of April 21, 2017 (which was the last trading day before the public announcement of the Bard Acquisition). The final value of the consideration to be transferred for accounting purposes will ultimately be based on the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day prior to the closing date of the Bard Acquisition. Accordingly, the purchase price and its related allocation to the underlying net assets of Bard could change materially.

The consummation of the Bard Acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory and Bard shareholder approvals. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the sections titled “Use of Proceeds,” “Capitalization,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” and the historical financial statements and related notes thereto for both the Company and Bard, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.