IAS/IFRS

AstraZeneca PLC
25 October 2004


                 ASTRAZENECA PREPARES FOR ADOPTION OF IAS/IFRS


As part of its preparation for the adoption of International Accounting
Standards (IAS)/International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), AstraZeneca
today made available financial information for the full year 2003 and the first
half of 2004, together with quarterly information, prepared in accordance with
the new standards.


Currently AstraZeneca reports under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(UK GAAP) and is making IAS/IFRS information available for these periods ahead
of the formal adoption of the new standards, from January 1, 2005.


Mr Jon Symonds, Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca, said: 'Information
released today is designed  to enable shareholders and the financial community
to make comparisons when the new IAS/IFRS guidance is fully introduced from
January 1 2005. The overall effect of the new standards on AstraZeneca is
modest.  The new standards would give an EPS figure for 2003 of $1.76 against a
UK GAAP figure of $1.78.'


Summary of Main Changes


                                      H1 2004                                  FY 2003
                            UK GAAP               IFRS               UK GAAP               IFRS
                               $m                  $m                   $m                  $m

Operating profit             2,190                2,104               4,111                4,007

Net profit (after
Minority Interests)          1,634                1,604               3,036                3,014
                             
EPS                          $0.97                $0.95               $1.78                $1.76

Net assets                   13,281              12,834               13,257              13,209


The most significant elements contributing to the change in financial
information for 2003 and 2004 are:


•         the cessation of goodwill amortisation

•         recalculation of the deferred tax asset in relation to profit on
          intra-group stock

•         the inclusion of financial instruments at fair value, and

•         the inclusion of a fair value charge of $154m in respect of
          outstanding share options for 9,000 employees worldwide, mostly in the 
          USA

•         inclusion in the  balance sheet of all employee benefit liabilities
          (largely pensions), using similar principles to FRS 17.


This financial information has been prepared on the basis of IFRS's expected to
be available for use at 31st December 2005.  These are subject to ongoing review
and endorsement by the EU and are therefore still subject to change.  We will
update our information for any such changes when they are made.


A teleconference for financial analysts will take place at 13:00 BST, with a
brief presentation followed by a Q&A session. The dial-in telephone numbers are
as follows:

UK (freephone):  0800 559 3272

Europe:  [phone]

USA (freephone): 1 866 239 0753

Emergency back up number is:  [phone]


Journalists may dial in on a listen-in basis only.  The telephone number is:

[phone]


The  restated IAS/IFRS figures and presentation will be available online at
www.astrazeneca.com and www.astrazenecaevents.com.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In order to utilise the 'Safe Harbor' provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, AstraZeneca is providing the following
cautionary statement.  This announcement contains forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of
AstraZeneca.  By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances
that will occur in the future.  There are a number of factors that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from that expressed or
implied by these forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among other
things, the loss or expiration of patents, marketing exclusivity or trade marks;
exchange rate fluctuations; the risk that R&D will not yield new products that
achieve commercial success; the impact of competition; price controls and price
reductions; taxation risks; the risk of substantial product liability claims;
the impact of any failure by third parties to supply materials or services; the
risk of delay to new product launches; the difficulties of obtaining and
maintaining governmental approvals for products; and the risk of environmental
liabilities.

                                     -Ends-

25 October, 2004


Media Enquiries:

Edel McCaffrey, Tel: [phone]

Steve Brown, Tel: [phone]

Investor Relations:

Mina Blair, Tel: [phone]

Jonathan Hunt, Tel:  [phone]


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange