Becton Dickinson Announces Election of New Officers.

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 28, 1999--

Richard K. Berman Named Vice President and Treasurer

Patricia B. Shrader Named Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

The Board of Directors of Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) has announced the election of two new corporate officers.

Richard K. Berman has been named Vice President and Treasurer reporting to Kenneth R. Weisshaar, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He replaces Geoffrey D. Cheatham, who has announced his plans to retire as of August 1, 1999.

Mr. Berman has held a number of treasury positions within BD over the past 17 years, most recently as assistant treasurer. He holds an undergraduate degree from Duke University and was awarded his M.B.A. degree from Columbia University.

Patricia B. Shrader has been appointed Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, reporting to CEO and Chairman, Clateo Castellini. She replaces Robert D. Wurzel, who retired on July 1, 1999.

Ms. Shrader joined BD in 1995 as a Director of Corporate Regulatory Affairs responsible for regulatory compliance and quality management in the area of diagnostics. Before joining Becton Dickinson, Ms. Shrader was counsel with the Washington law firm of Hogan & Hartson. She holds an undergraduate degree from Western Maryland College, her M.A. from Hood College and a law degree from Georgetown University.

BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies and devices and diagnostic systems for use by health professionals, medical research institutions, industry and the general public. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, BD reported total revenues of $3.1 billion and net income of $236 million.