Nexium Launch Date, etc.

AstraZeneca PLC
1 August 2000


ASTRAZENECA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE AND PRICING STRATEGY FOR NEXIUM IN SWEDEN
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AstraZeneca announced today that Nexium, its new Proton Pump Inhibitor for the
control of acid related diseases, will be launched to Gastrointestinal (GI)
Specialists in Sweden on August 14th 2000.  Nexium will be available on
prescription as 20mg and 40mg tablets and will be priced as follows:

                      SEK/tablet
Nexium 40mg               12.80
Nexium 20mg               10.30
NB. The price of Losec MUPS 20mg is 14.30 SEK per tablet.

Core Phase III trials compared a 40mg dose of the new drug to the gold
standard 20mg dose of the market leader, Losec, and demonstrated superior
performance in terms of acid control, faster healing and more sustained
symptom relief for Nexium.

Nexium (40mg) has also been shown to be more effective than Losec (40mg) in
controlling acid production in the stomach.

'In setting the price for Nexium in Sweden we have taken careful account of
the pricing of competitive Proton Pump Inhibitors and the desire to offer
doctors and patients incentives to use and benefit from the clinically
superior Nexium.  Consequently Nexium 40mg has been priced at a small discount
to Losec (20mg).  Nexium will offer a combination of superior performance, an
excellent safety profile and value for money' said Dr. Martin Nicklasson, Head
of AstraZeneca's GI Franchise.

Dr. Tom McKillop, Chief Executive Officer at AstraZeneca said 'It is clear
from the rapid growth of other recently launched megabrands that a combination
of genuine clinical advantage with competitive pricing achieves best results. 
Our Swedish pricing of Nexium reflects this approach.'

August 1, 2000

Further enquires to:

Elizabeth Sutton:  Tel. [phone] 
Michael Olsson:  Tel. [phone]