BD Statement Regarding Impact of Japan Earthquake

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Mar 15, 2011, 08:00 ET

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) has operations in Japan led by its Nippon Becton Dickinson headquarters office in Tokyo, and a manufacturing facility and distribution center in Fukushima prefecture. The Company today confirmed that all of its employees in Japan are safe and that its office in Tokyo is undamaged and functional. BD's manufacturing plant and distribution center in Fukushima are temporarily closed while the Company assesses damage, which does not appear to be extensive. BD is also in the process of evaluating access to utilities and transportation, which have been impacted throughout Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. BD sources certain component parts and finished products from third-party suppliers in Japan, and currently believes that inventories of these items will be sufficient to meet global demand until supply chain interruptions are resolved.

Revenues in Japan represented approximately 5 percent of BD's fiscal year 2010 revenues. Revenues from products manufactured in Japan (BD Hypak™ Prefillable Syringes and prepared plated media) represented approximately 1 percent of BD's fiscal year 2010 revenues.

BD is actively engaged with many disaster relief organizations in supporting the humanitarian aid effort.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.