Research Update

AstraZeneca PLC
2 May 2001


ASTRAZENECA RECEIVES SIX MONTHS' MARKET EXCLUSIVITY 
FOR PRILOSEC 

AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
granted six months' market exclusivity for Prilosec (omeprazole), after the
company complied with the FDA's formal request for information on the use of
the prescription medication in children.  The additional six months'
exclusivity will be added to all of the relevant patents for Prilosec.

In 1999, the FDA requested that AstraZeneca provide information on the
clinical efficacy of Prilosec in the paediatric population, as well as
pharmacologic and clinical safety information.  In response to the FDA's
request, AstraZeneca submitted the results of a clinical programme consisting
of five studies involving children one month to 16 years of age.  AstraZeneca
is pursuing efforts to have these additional data included in the product
labelling to provide guidance on the use of Prilosec in children.  

      
Further Enquiries to:

Media Relations:
               
Steve Brown:     Tel  [phone] 

Investor Relations: 
     
Michael Olsson:  Tel  [phone]
Ed Seage:        Tel: [phone] 
Jorgen Winroth:  Tel  [phone]