<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950109-01-503585.txt : 20011008
<SEC-HEADER>0000950109-01-503585.hdr.sgml : 20011008
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950109-01-503585
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20010917
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
FILED AS OF DATE:		20010917

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECTON DICKINSON & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010795
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				220760120
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		1739208

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417-1880
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018476800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<PAGE>


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  September 17, 2001
                                                  ------------------

                         BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        New Jersey                 001-4802                 22-0760120
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (State or other juris-        (Commission           (IRS Employer Iden-
  diction of incorporation)      File Number)           tification Number)

  1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                07417-1880
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code        (201) 847-6800
                                                           -------------

                                      N/A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)

<PAGE>

Item 5.     OTHER EVENTS
            ------------

            On September 17, 2001 the Registrant announced in a press release
            share repurchase authorization. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99, which
            is incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of such press
            release.

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                            BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                                    (Registrant)


                                              By: /s/ Kathleen M. Gibson
                                                  -----------------------
                                                      Kathleen M. Gibson
                                                      Assistant Secretary


Date: September 17, 2001

                                       2

<PAGE>


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------

Exhibit
Number                 Description of Exhibits
------                 -----------------------

 99                    Press release issued September 17, 2001.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>dex991.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE ISSUED SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

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.


                                      # # #


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
