Exhibit 23






                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and subsidiaries,  on Forms S-8
(Registration Nos. 2-95618, 2-45534,  33-39506,  33-32580,  33-37825,  33-61074,
33-61076,  333-12287,  333-12289,  333-53817, and 333-78783) of our report dated
February 28, 2002,  relating to the  consolidated  financial  statements of West
Pharmaceutical  Services,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 2001 and
December  31,  2000,  and for the three years in the period  ended  December 31,
2001, which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 28, 2002