COMPANIES ACT 1985 SECTION 198

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN VOTING SHARES IN PUBLIC COMPANIES

On 24 December 2004 we were informed by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a registered investment manager in the U.S., that on 22 December 2004 its interest in the USD0.25 Ordinary Shares of AstraZeneca PLC had decreased to 233,153,407 shares (14.16 per cent of the current issued ordinary capital) from the previously notified level of 244,411,808 shares (14.78 per cent). Within the said holding of 14.16 per cent of the issued ordinary capital of AstraZeneca PLC, Capital Research and Management Company, an affiliate of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., has decreased its interest in these shares to 80,171,807 shares (4.87 per cent). G H R Musker Company Secretary 24 December 2004