Exhibit 99.1


                  West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Completes
                         Sale of Contract Packaging Unit

Lionville, PA, November 30, 2001 - West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST)
today  completed  the  previously  announced  sale of all of the  assets  of its
contract  manufacturing and packaging business,  located in Lakewood, NJ, to DPT
Lakewood, Inc., an affiliate of DPT Laboratories, Ltd., and DFB Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. of San Antonio,  Texas.  Proceeds from the transaction  will be used to pay
down debt.

West  Pharmaceutical  Services  supports  global  pharmaceutical  and healthcare
markets  with  products  and services  that  enhance the  effectiveness  of drug
delivery and product  dispensing.  West  Pharmaceutical  Services'  technologies
include  drug  formulation  research  and  development,  clinical  research  and
laboratory  services and the design,  development  and manufacture of components
and  systems  for  dispensing  and  delivering  pharmaceutical,  healthcare  and
consumer products. For more information,  visit West Pharmaceutical  Services at
www.westdrugdelivery.com and www.westpharma.com.

Statements  concerning  forecasted  results,  financial or otherwise,  which are
contained in the above material,  constitute  "forward looking  statements" that
involve  risks and  uncertainties.  The  Company's  actual  results  may  differ
materially  from  those  expressed  in any  forward  looking  statement  and are
dependent on a number of factors  including,  but not limited to, sales  demand,
timing of customers' projects,  competitive pressures,  the strength or weakness
of the U.S. dollar, inflation, the cost of raw materials, successful continuance
of cost-improvement programs and statutory tax rates.

For additional  information  regarding  these and other risks and  uncertainties
associated  with the  Company's  business,  reference  is made to the  Company's
reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.