8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

________________

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) – December 15, 2009

________________________

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________

Pennsylvania	1-8036	23-1210010
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
101 Gordon Drive, PO Box 645, Lionville, PA		19341-0645
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(610) 594-2900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or address, if changed since last report)

____________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. announced today that its board of directors unanimously decided on December 15, 2009, to ask shareholders to approve a proposal to elect the entire board each year starting in 2012.  A copy of the press release announcing the decision is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this report (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under that Act or the Securities Act of 1933.

 Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)	Exhibits
	Exhibit #	Description
	99.1	West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Press Release, dated December 21, 2009.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.

/s/ John R. Gailey III                                                         

John R. Gailey III, Vice President, General

Counsel and Secretary

December 21, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Press Release, dated December 21, 2009.

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EX-99.1

 Exhibit 99.1

Contacts: West Michael A. Anderson Vice President and Treasurer (610) 594-3345   Investors and Financial Media: Westwicke Partners John Woolford/Stefan Loren (443) 213-0506/0507  

West Announces Intention to Elect Entire Board Annually

LIONVILLE, Pa., December 21, 2009 -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) announced today that its board of directors unanimously decided on December 15, 2009, to ask shareholders to approve a proposal to elect the entire board each year starting in 2012. Currently, the Company’s board has three classes and shareholders elect one class each year for a three-year term.  The proposed amendment will not shorten the current term of any director now serving.

The Company’s board will recommend that shareholders approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation at the 2011 annual shareholders meeting. The proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. If approved, the amendment would mean that beginning with the 2012 annual meeting, all directors would stand for re-election each year.

“West’s history evidences our responsiveness to shareholder interests,” said Donald E. Morel, Jr., Ph.D., West’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We regularly consider ways in which we can improve our corporate governance policies and reflect evolving industry standards and best practices. After discussions over the past month with a long-time shareholder, CalSTRS, the board concluded that having directors elected annually would best serve these objectives.”

About West

West is a global manufacturer of components and systems for injectable drug delivery, including stoppers and seals for vials, and closures and disposable components used in syringe, IV and blood collection systems. The Company also provides products with application to the personal care, food and beverage markets. Headquartered in Lionville, Pennsylvania, West supports its partners and customers from 50 locations throughout North America, South America, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit West at www.westpharma.com.