EXHIBIT 24(a)



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



The undersigned hereby authorizes and appoints John R. Gailey III as his or her
attorney-in-fact to sign on his or her behalf and in his or her capacity as a
director of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (the "Company"), and to file, the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 for the registration of the re-sale of up to
40,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.25 per share, to be
sold by The Herman O. West Foundation.


Date:    April 30, 2002                       /s/ TENLEY E. ALBRIGHT, M.D.
                                              ----------------------------
                                              Tenley E. Albright, M.D.