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<TYPE>EX-99
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<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
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Contact: Charles A. Borgognoni
Corporate Communications
(201) 847-6651
E-mail: charles_borgognoni@bd.com

Contact: Michael Roth
GCI Group
(212) 537-8256
E-mail: mroth@gcigroup.com

Contact: Patricia Spinella
Investor Relations
(201) 847-5453
E-mail: patricia_spinella@bd.com

   BD Presents New Blood Glucose Monitoring Products and Announces Strategic
        Relationships with Medtronic MiniMed and Eli Lilly and Company

Franklin Lakes, NJ (January 8, 2003) - BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
(NYSE:BDX) today introduced two new FDA-cleared blood glucose monitoring
products, the BD Logic'TM' Blood Glucose Monitor and the BD Latitude'TM'
Diabetes Management System, both of which will be available in the United
States. As part of the new product launches, BD has entered into two separate
and unrelated strategic relationships with industry leaders Medtronic MiniMed,
the diabetes management business of Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), and Eli Lilly
and Company (Lilly) (NYSE: LLY) to increase its diabetes care market presence.

"We are very excited to unveil our new products that offer patients a less
painful, more convenient solution to managing their blood glucose levels," said
Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BD. "We
believe these products set a new performance standard in the blood glucose
monitoring industry. In addition, the strategic relationships we are announcing
today with Medtronic MiniMed and Lilly, each leaders in their respective
diabetes care markets, will significantly expand the reach of BD's new blood
glucose products. Through these relationships, we also intend to pursue
next-generation diabetes products."

The BD Logic'TM' Blood Glucose Monitor is a cutting edge meter with
best-in-class strip technology, an easy-to-read display screen and large data
capacity. The BD Latitude'TM' Diabetes Management System is the first fully
integrated therapeutic diabetes device that contains a blood glucose monitor,
lancing device, lancets, strips, and storage for an insulin pen and pen needles,
all the tools needed to test and inject. Both the BD Logic'TM' Blood Glucose
Monitor and the BD Latitude'TM' Diabetes Management System use the thinnest
lancet available (33-gauge) to minimize pain and test strips that require only a
minimal amount of blood (.3'u'L), and deliver accurate results in just 5
seconds.

Under the terms of the worldwide agreement, Medtronic MiniMed will distribute a
co-branded version of the BD Logic'TM' Blood Glucose Monitor and BD'TM' strips
through its global distribution channels. In addition, the companies will
collaborate in the development of integrated systems that provide greater
convenience for Medtronic MiniMed pump wearers, who represent the most frequent
blood glucose testers.



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"This alliance enables us to better serve our customers today by offering a
best-in-class monitor and strips, and will extend our leadership position in the
future by developing integrated systems to simplify diabetes management," said
Jeffery A. McCaulley, Vice President and General Manager, Diabetes, Medtronic
MiniMed. "We believe product simplification will foster patient adherence,
improving blood sugar control and overall health of diabetes patients."

Under the terms of the agreement with Lilly, Lilly will utilize its U.S.
diabetes sales organization to provide targeted support for the market
introduction of the new BD Latitude'TM' Diabetes Management System, and will
help create awareness of the new product with healthcare professionals. There is
no sharing of revenue between the companies. Lilly and BD also will jointly
pursue future opportunities in diabetes disease management.

"Lilly is committed to improving the care and quality of life for people with
diabetes and considers this relationship as an opportunity to advance these
objectives," said Khoso Baluch, U.S. diabetes care business unit leader for
Lilly.

A conference call regarding the new BD diabetes products and two agreements will
be held on January 8, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. (EST). Investors and the general public
are invited to listen via live webcast at www.bd.com. Following the conclusion
of the call, a rebroadcast will be available until midnight on January 15, 2003
on BD's website or by calling 1-888-562-4432 in the U.S. or 1-402-530-7652
outside the U.S. No access code is needed.

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, 2002,
BD reported total revenues of $4.033 billion.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements (as defined
under Federal securities laws) regarding BD's performance, including future
revenues, products and income, or events or developments that BD expects to
occur or anticipates occurring in the future. All such statements are based upon
current expectations of BD 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; BD'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 BD's ability to maintain
favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; changes in interest or
foreign currency exchange rates; delays in product introductions; and changes in
healthcare or other governmental regulation, as well as other factors discussed
in this press release and in BD's most recent Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend to update any
forward-looking statements.

BD, BD Logo and all other trademarks are property of Becton, Dickinson and
Company 'c' 2003 BD

Brands are trademarks of their respective holders.




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