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BD (NYSE: BDX) — originally, Becton & Dickinson — is a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs more than 25,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Image File history File links Becton Dickinson logo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), nicknamed the Big Board, is a New York City-based stock exchange. ... Map highlighting Franklin Lakes location within Bergen County. ...

In fiscal year 2006, BD revenues grew 8% to $5.83 billion worldwide.^[1] BD is comprised of three business segments: BD Medical, BD Diagnostics and BD Biosciences. BD has 25,000 employees in nearly 50 countries around the world.

BD Medical is among the world's leading suppliers of medical devices. BD built the first-ever manufacturing facility in the U.S. to produce syringes and needles in 1906 and has been the leading innovator in injection- and infusion-based drug delivery ever since. BD Medical posted revenues of $3.2 billion in fiscal 2006.^[1]

BD Diagnostics is a leading provider of products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostic specimens and of instrumentation for quick, accurate analysis across a broad range of infectious diseases, including the growing problem of healthcare-associated infections. The segment is composed of two operating units: Preanalytical Systems, a world leader in sample collection, and Diagnostic Systems, a leader in microbiology testing products and molecular assays. BD Diagnostics posted revenues of $1.76 billion in fiscal 2006.^[1]

BD Biosciences is one of the world's leading businesses focused on bringing innovative research and clinical tools to life scientists and clinicians. BD Biosciences posted $877 million in revenue in fiscal 2006.^[1]

BD has a long history of relationships in education. Company co-founder Fairleigh S. Dickinson was the major benefactor of Fairleigh Dickinson University, which was founded in Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1942. Henry P. Becton, son of co-founder Maxwell Becton, donated part of the company's original East Rutherford tract for the Henry P. Becton Regional High School which was built in 1971 and named in his honor. The company moved to Franklin Lakes, New Jersey in 1986. Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university founded in 1942, the largest private university in New Jersey. ... Map highlighting Rutherfords location within Bergen County. ... Map highlighting East Rutherfords location within Bergen County. ... Henry P. Becton Regional High School, Becton, is an four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth garde from both Carlstadt (205 students from a 2000 Census population of 5,917) and East Rutherford (346 students from 8,716 residents), two relatively small communities in Bergen...

Becton Dickinson recently encountered criticism regarding its controversially staunch position in preventing the establishment of a single-use (retractable) syringe market in Africa, where the spread of various microbial pathogens has widely been attributed to the reuse of hyperdermic syringes by local MDs and pharmacies. It has been estimated that over 70% of all transmitted diseases could be prevented by the introduction of single-use retractable syringes. However, Becton Dickinson, who has largely dominated the African medical devices market for the last 40 years, refuses to change to the safer single-use retractables in fear of giving up market share to other companies that are more advanced in the development of these healthier syringe alternatives. This perverse situation is illustrated in the documentary "Injection" by Mickey Grant (see at minute 15: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5182317638126553942&q=injection%).

References

November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• BD corporate site