The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.
There have been no material changes in information reported since end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004.
An evaluation was carried out by BD’s management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of BD’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2005. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were, as of the end of the period covered by this report, adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to BD and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within these entities. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005 identified in connection with the above-referenced evaluation that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We are involved, both as a plaintiff and a defendant, in various legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business, including product liability and environmental matters. A more complete description of legal proceedings has been set forth in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “10-K”) and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2005. For the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and subsequent thereto, the following changes have occurred.
Litigation – Other than Environmental Matters
Jabo’s Pharmacy
As we reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2005, on June 3, 2005, Jabo’s Pharmacy, Inc., a business located in Tennessee, filed a proposed class action lawsuit against BD in the United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee. The complaint, which is similar to the complaint filed in March 2005 against BD in Federal Court in Newark, New Jersey by Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, alleges that BD violated federal and various state antitrust laws, resulting in the charging of higher prices for certain BD products to plaintiff and other proposed class members. Unlike the Louisiana Wholesale Drug complaint, which is brought on behalf of direct purchasers such as distributors, this new complaint is brought on behalf of indirect purchasers of BD products. BD believes that the plaintiff’s allegations in this lawsuit are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously.
Needlestick Class Actions
In Ohio, Grant vs. Becton Dickinson et al. (Case No. 98CVB075616, Franklin County Court), which was filed on July 22, 1998, the trial court granted class certification on June 6, 2005. BD has filed an appeal of the trial court’s ruling.
In Illinois, the matter of McCaster vs. Becton Dickinson (Case No. 04L 012544), which had previously been refiled in the Circuit Court of Cook County in November 2004 as an individual personal injury case, was settled on July 5, 2005 for an amount that is not material to BD’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Cardozo
BD reached a tentative settlement with the plaintiffs in Danielle Cardozo, by her litigation guardian Darlene Cardozo v. Becton, Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. S83059, Supreme Court, British Columbia), a class action case filed on November 6, 2003. The suit alleged personal injury to persons in British Columbia who received test results generated by the BD ProbeTec™ ET instrument. The tentative settlement is for an amount that is not material to BD’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The settlement plan is subject to, among other things, court approval. BD expects the settlement plan to be finalized during calendar year 2005, but there are no assurances that the settlement will be finalized by the parties or approved by the Court.
New York Attorney General
As previously reported, we had received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General for the State of New York (the “New York Attorney General”), and, in response, we provided information requested regarding any communications or agreements BD has had with other needle or syringe manufacturers. On July 15, 2005, the New York Attorney General advised BD that its investigation was no longer active.
Connecticut Attorney General
On August 8, 2005, BD received a subpoena issued by the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut which seeks documents and information relating to BD’s participation as a member of Healthcare Research & Development Institute, LLC. (“HRDI”), a healthcare trade organization (an independent member of BD's board of directors, Gary Mecklenburg, also serves as the non-executive chairman of HRDI). The subpoena indicates that it was issued as part of an investigation into possible violations of the antitrust laws. BD believes that its participation in HRDI complies fully with the law and has no additional information regarding the investigation at this time. BD intends to cooperate fully in responding to the subpoena.
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Summary
Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, we are not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which we are a party. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, BD establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable. In view of the uncertainties discussed above, we could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. Accordingly, in the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on BD’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated net cash flows in the period or periods in which they are recorded or paid. We continue to believe that we have valid defenses to each of the suits pending against BD and are engaged in a vigorous defense of each of these matters.
Litigation - Environmental Matters
We are also a party to a number of federal proceedings in the United States brought under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. For all sites, there are other potentially responsible parties that may be jointly or severally liable to pay all cleanup costs. We accrue costs for estimated environmental liabilities based upon our best estimate within the range of probable losses, without considering possible third-party recoveries. While we believe that, upon resolution, the environmental claims against BD should not have a material adverse effect on BD, we could incur charges in excess of presently established reserves and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. Accordingly, in the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on BD’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated net cash flows in the period or periods in which they are recorded or paid.
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Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
The table below sets forth certain information regarding our purchases of common stock of BD during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
For the three months ended June 30, 2005 | | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | | Average Price Paid per Share | | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) | | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |
April 1 – 30, 2005 | | | 202,672 | | | | $58.19 | | | 200,000 | | | | 9,954,414 | | |
May 1 – 31, 2005 | | | 1,862,189 | | | | $58.88 | | | 1,860,800 | | | | 8,093,614 | | |
June 1 – 30, 2005 | | | 1,150,395 | | | | $54.86 | | | 1,150,000 | | | | 6,943,614 | | |
Total | | | 3,215,256 | | | | $57.40 | | | 3,210,800 | | | | 6,943,614 | | |
| (1) | Includes for the quarter 4,456 shares purchased in open market transactions by the trustee under BD’s Deferred Compensation Plan and 1996 Directors’ Deferral Plan. There were no shares delivered to the Company in connection with stock option exercises. |
| (2) | Repurchases of 154,414 shares were made pursuant to and represented the completion of a repurchase program covering 10 million shares announced on January 27, 2004. The remaining repurchases of 3,056,386 shares were made pursuant to a repurchase program covering 10 million shares authorized by the Board of Directors of BD on November 23, 2004 (the “November 2004 Program”). There is no expiration date for the November 2004 Program. |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
Not applicable.
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
Not applicable.
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Item 5. | Other Information. |
Not applicable.
Exhibit 31 | | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to SEC Rule 13a - 14(a).
|
Exhibit 32 | | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | Becton, Dickinson and Company |
| | | | (Registrant) | |
Dated: | August 9, 2005 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | /s/ John R. Considine
|
| | | John R. Considine Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | | /s/ William A. Tozzi
|
| | | William A. Tozzi Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits |
| |
31 | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to SEC Rule 13a - 14(a). |
| |
32 | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. |
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