EXHIBIT 99.1


           [WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC. LETTERHEAD -- OMITTED]





Contacts:                           Investors:                    Media:
                                                            
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.  Morgen-Walke Associates       Schwartz Communications
Michael A. Anderson                 Theresa Vogt/ Lanie Fladell   Jim Weinrebe
Vice President and Treasurer        (212) 850-5600                781-684-0770
(610) 594-3345                                                    westpharma@shwartz-pr.com
                                                                  -------------------------


                  WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES
                         SALE OF CONTRACT PACKAGING UNIT

LIONVILLE, PA, November 15, 2001 - West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST)
today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement for the 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. The contract manufacturing and
packaging assets comprise the largest part of West's Contract Services business
segment.

Under the terms of the agreement DPT will pay West $26 million in cash and
notes. DPT will also assume liabilities of the business, including approximately
$4 million of long-term debt. The transaction is expected to close before the
end of the year. Cash proceeds from the transaction will be used to pay down
debt.

In connection with the sale, West will take an after-tax charge in the fourth
quarter 2001 of approximately $26 million, or $1.83 per share, relating to the
sale and the write-down of assets, including goodwill. The assets disposed of
will be accounted for as a discontinued operation. As a result, fourth quarter
earnings from continuing operations, are expected to be between $0.36 - $0.39
per share.

In announcing the sale, West's Chairman and CEO, William G. Little said "The
sale of the contract manufacturing and packaging operation is consistent with
our strategy of focusing our resources on developing products and systems that
enhance the administration of pharmaceutical products. The sale of a business
that has shown considerable improvement recently serves to emphasize our
commitment to that strategy."

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.

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