Disclosure of interest in voting shares in public companies

Companies Act 1985 Section 198 Disclosure of interest in voting shares in public companies On 8 march 2000 we were informed by the Capital Group Companies, Inc., a registered investment manager in the U.S., that on 6 march 2000 its interest in the USD0.25 ordinary shares of AstraZeneca PLC had increased to 138,837,853 shares (7.82 per cent of the issued ordinary capital) from the previously notified level of 124,643,276 shares (7.00 per cent). Capital Research and Management Company, an affiliate of the Capital Group Companies, Inc., has increased its interest in these shares to 73,193,519 shares (4.12 per cent) from 64,041,385 shares (3.60 per cent) G H R Musker Company Secretary 8 March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/08/20000308BIT01090/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/08/20000308BIT01090/bit0002.pdf