Annual Meeting

1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Hilton Short Hills
41 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, NJ 07078

Direct Stock Purchase Plan

The Direct Stock Purchase Plan established through EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., enhances the services provided to existing shareholders and facilitates initial investments in BD shares. Additional information may be obtained by calling EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. at 1-866-238-5345.

NYSE Symbol
BDX

On March 18, 2004, Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, submitted to the NYSE the Written Affirmation required by the rules of the NYSE certifying that he was not aware of any violations by BD of NYSE Corporate Governance listing standards.

The certifications of Mr. Ludwig and John R. Considine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, made pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the quality of BD’s public disclosure, have been filed as exhibits to the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 2500
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2500
Phone: 1-800-519-3111
E-mail: equiserve@equiserve.com
Internet: www.equiserve.com

Shareholder Information

BD’s Statement of Corporate Governance Principles, BD’s Business Conduct and Compliance Guide, the charters of BD’s Committees of the Board of Directors, and BD’s reports and statements filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, are posted on BD’s website at www.bd.com/investors/. Shareholders may receive, without charge, printed copies of these documents, including BD’s 2004 Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K, by contacting:

Investor Relations
BD
1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417-1880
Phone: 1-800-284-6845
Internet: www.bd.com

Independent Auditors

Ernst & Young LLP
5 Times Square
New York, NY 10036-6530
Phone: 212-773-3000
Internet: www.ey.com

The trademarks indicated by italics are the property of, licensed to, promoted or distributed by Becton, Dickinson and Company, its subsidiaries or related companies. All other brands are trademarks of their respective holders.

Certain BD Biosciences products are intended for research use only, and not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

^©2004 BD