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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001174597-10-000001.txt : 20100505
<SEC-HEADER>0001174597-10-000001.hdr.sgml : 20100505
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100505123327
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001174597-10-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100504
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100505
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100505

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000105770
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FABRICATED RUBBER PRODUCTS, NEC [3060]
		IRS NUMBER:				231210010
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1017

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 GORDON DR
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 645
		CITY:			LIONVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341-0645
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6105942900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 GORDON DRIVE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 645
		CITY:			LIONVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341-0645

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	WEST CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990405

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hofmann Thomas W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001174597

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08036
		FILM NUMBER:		10800583

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HOFMANN THOMAS W
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020531
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000105770</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WST</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001174597</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hofmann Thomas W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RADNOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19087</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2617</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8431.06</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares of deferred stock will vest in 12 substantially equal monthly installments and will be distributable under the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joanne K. Boyle as Agent for Thomas W. Hofmann</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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