BD CEO Edward J. Ludwig Selected to Serve on U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission.

Business Editors

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2003

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) announced today that Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Edward J. Ludwig has been selected to serve as a member of the U.S.-Japan Private Sector-Government Commission.

The Commission, which was launched in mid-2001 by President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi, is charged with developing economic reform recommendations for the U.S. and Japan. Eight U.S. business leaders were selected by the government to join their Japanese counterparts.

"It is an honor to be selected and to serve on this commission," said Mr. Ludwig. "I look forward to working with the other government and industry leaders from both nations as the commission undertakes important economic issues affecting us all."

Mr. Ludwig also serves as Chairman of the International Board Committee of AdvaMed, the world's largest trade association for the medical technology industry.

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 $4.03 billion.