Two Cardiovascular Medicines Divested

ASTRAZENECA PLC
27 October 1999


ASTRAZENECA DIVESTS TWO CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINES IN SCANDINAVIAN AND
        EUROPEAN MARKETS TO COMPLY WITH EC MERGER CONDITIONS

AstraZeneca today announced the partial divestment of two
cardiovascular medicines, in Scandinavian and European markets, to
comply with European Commission merger conditions set in approving
the merger of Astra, of Sweden, and Zeneca, of the UK, earlier this
year.

Searle, the pharmaceutical sector of Monsanto Company, has purchased
exclusive rights throughout the EEA to the product 'Seloken Comp',
(known as Beloc ZOC Comp. in Germany) a fixed combination of the
beta blocker metoprolol and the diuretic hydrochlorthiazide.

AstraZeneca has also sold to Searle distribution rights to the beta
blocker product 'Tenormin', containing atenolol, in Sweden and
Norway, in compliance with the merger conditions set out by the
Commission.  AstraZeneca has extended such distribution rights to
Searle to cover 'Tenormin' in Denmark and Finland, and the beta
blocker combination product 'Tenoretic' in Denmark

Financial details were not disclosed and the deal represents less
than one per cent of AstraZeneca PLC's net assets.
                                  
Further enquiries to:

Investor Relations:

Elizabeth Sutton, tel [phone]
Michael Olsson, tel [phone]
Jorgen Winroth, tel [phone]