Director Shareholding

AstraZeneca PLC
29 March 2005

Dealing by Directors

Companies Act 1985 Sections 324/329

We hereby inform you that on 24 March 2005 the following Director of AstraZeneca
PLC was granted an option under the AstraZeneca Share Option Plan.  The option
is exercisable over the Company's American Depositary Shares (ADS). One ADS
equals one Ordinary Share.

Name of          Number of ADSs  Exercise price    Period when  Total number of 
Director      over which option       per share    exercisable       ADSs under 
                     is granted                                          option


D R Brennan             110,987        US$40.35  24.3.08-23.3.15      440,643



The option will become exercisable on 24 March 2008 subject to certain
performance conditions.  The conditions, which will not be subject to any
retesting, are that the earnings per share of the Company must increase by the
increase in the UK Retail Prices Index plus 5% per annum on average over three
years, and that no significant unforeseen event has taken place which, in the
reasonable opinion of the Remuneration Committee, has resulted in major
reputational damage to AstraZeneca, and the circumstances of which are
exceptional enough to justify the option not vesting and becoming exercisable.
Failure to satisfy either or both of these conditions will result in the lapse
of the option in its entirety.


G H R Musker
Company Secretary
29 March 2005




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