2nd Qtr & Interim Rslts-Pt2

AstraZeneca PLC
1 August 2000

PART 2


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

                                      Continuing Operations Discont-   Total
                                                               inued   
                                                               Oper-
                                                              ations
                                     -----------------------  
                                               Oper-
                                              ations         
                                     Ongoing   to be Except-      
                                       oper- discon-   ional
                                      ations  tinued   items
For the quarter ended 30 June 2000      USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Sales                                  3,971     975       -       -   4,946
Cost of sales                         (1,012)   (520)     (2)      -  (1,534)
Distribution costs                       (57)    (28)      -       -     (85)
Research and development                (613)    (63)    (14)      -    (690)
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                            (1,256)   (133)    (80)      -  (1,469)
Other income                              37      11       -       -      48
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Group operating profit                 1,070     242     (96)      -   1,216
Share of joint ventures' and 
  associates' operating profits           (3)      -       -       -      (3)
Net interest                              15       -       -       -      15
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                      1,082     242     (96)      -   1,228
Taxation                                (311)    (96)      6       -    (401)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities after
  taxation                               771     146     (90)      -     827
Attributable to minorities                (3)     (2)      -       -      (5)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net profit for the period                768     144     (90)      -     822
Dividends to Shareholders               (406)      -       -       -    (406)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit retained for the period           362     144     (90)      -     416
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Earnings per Ordinary Share before
  exceptional items                  USD0.43 USD0.09       -       - USD0.52
Earnings per Ordinary Share          USD0.43 USD0.09USD(0.06)      - USD0.46
Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share  USD0.43 USD0.09USD(0.06)      - USD0.46
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Weighted average number of Ordinary 
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,769
------------------------------------                                   -----

Diluted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,771
------------------------------------                                   -----

The interim financial statements on pages 10 to 22 were approved by the Board
on 31 July 2000.


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

                                      Continuing Operations Discont-   Total
                                                               inued   
                                                               Oper-
                                                              ations
                                     -----------------------  
                                               Oper-
                                              ations         
                                     Ongoing   to be Except-      
                                       oper- discon-   ional
                                      ations  tinued   items
For the quarter ended 30 June 1999      USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Sales                                  3,780     949       -     319   5,048
Cost of sales                           (948)   (504)    (10)   (200) (1,662)
Distribution costs                       (55)    (26)      -     (16)    (97)
Research and development                (604)    (72)     (5)    (21)   (702)
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                            (1,266)   (144)   (118)    (43) (1,571)
Other income                              36       9       -       1      46
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Group operating profit                   943     212    (133)     40   1,062
Share of joint ventures' and 
  associates' operating profits            3       -       -       -       3
Profits less losses on sale and
  closure of operations                    -       -       -     237     237
Merger costs                               -       -    (917)      -    (917)
Net interest                             (37)      -       -       -     (37)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities before
  taxation                               909     212  (1,050)    277     348
Taxation                                (257)    (74)    234    (111)   (208)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities after
  taxation                               652     138    (816)    166     140
Attributable to minorities                (1)     (1)      -       -      (2)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net profit for the period                651     137    (816)    166     138
Dividends to Shareholders               (408)      -       -       -    (408)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit/(loss) retained for the 
  period                                 243     137    (816)    166    (270)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Earnings per Ordinary Share before
  exceptional items                  USD0.36 USD0.08       - USD0.01 USD0.45
Earnings per Ordinary Share          USD0.36 USD0.08USD(0.46)USD0.09 USD0.07
Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share  USD0.36 USD0.08USD(0.46)USD0.09 USD0.07
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Weighted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,776
------------------------------------                                   -----

Diluted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,780
------------------------------------                                   -----


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

                                      Continuing Operations  Discont-   Total
                                                               inued   
                                                               Oper-
                                                               ations
                                     -----------------------  
                                               Oper-
                                              ations         
                                     Ongoing   to be Except-      
                                       oper- discon-   ional
                                      ations  tinued   items
For the six months ended 30 June 2000   USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Sales                                  7,863   1,681       -       -   9,544
Cost of sales                         (2,084)   (913)     (3)      -  (3,000)
Distribution costs                      (120)    (54)      -       -    (174)
Research and development              (1,210)   (132)    (26)      -  (1,368)
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                            (2,474)   (260)   (150)      -  (2,884)
Other income                              71      21       -       -      92
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Group operating profit                 2,046     343    (179)      -   2,210
Share of joint ventures' and
  associates' operating profits           19       -       -       -      19
Net interest                              34       -       -       -      34
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities before 
  taxation                             2,099     343    (179)      -   2,263
Taxation                                (606)   (133)     31       -    (708)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities after
  taxation                             1,493     210    (148)      -   1,555
Attributable to minorities                (5)     (2)      -       -      (7)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net profit for the period              1,488     208    (148)      -   1,548
Dividends to Shareholders               (406)      -       -       -    (406)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit retained for the period         1,082     208    (148)      -   1,142
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Earnings per Ordinary Share before
  exceptional items                  USD0.84 USD0.12       -       - USD0.96
Earnings per Ordinary Share          USD0.84 USD0.12USD(0.09)      - USD0.87
Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share  USD0.84 USD0.12USD(0.09)      - USD0.87
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Weighted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,771
------------------------------------                                   -----

Diluted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,773
------------------------------------                                   -----


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

                                     Continuing Operations  Discont-   Total
                                                               inued   
                                                               Oper-
                                                              ations
                                     -----------------------  
                                               Oper-
                                              ations         
                                     Ongoing   to be Except-      
                                       oper- discon-   ional
                                      ations  tinued   items
For the six months ended 30 June 1999   USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Sales                                  7,431   1,612       -     615   9,658
Cost of sales                         (1,897)   (871)    (10)   (380) (3,158)
Distribution costs                      (116)    (51)      -     (29)   (196)
Research and development              (1,172)   (140)     (5)    (43) (1,360)
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                            (2,492)   (286)   (127)    (94) (2,999)
Other income                              66      19       -       2      87
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Group operating profit                 1,820     283    (142)     71   2,032
Share of joint ventures' and 
  associates' operating profits           21       1       -       1      23
Profits less losses on sale and 
  closure of operations                    -       -       -     237     237
Merger costs                               -       -    (917)      -    (917)
Net interest                             (33)      -       -       -     (33)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities before 
  taxation                             1,808     284  (1,059)    309   1,342
Taxation                                (524)   (100)    238    (122)   (508)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit on ordinary activities after
  taxation                             1,284     184    (821)    187     834
Attributable to minorities                (1)     (1)      -       -      (2)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net profit for the period              1,283     183    (821)    187     832
Dividends to Shareholders               (408)      -       -       -    (408)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Profit retained for the period           875     183    (821)    187     424
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Earnings per Ordinary Share before 
  exceptional items                  USD0.72 USD0.11       - USD0.02 USD0.85
Earnings per Ordinary Share          USD0.72 USD0.11USD(0.46)USD0.10 USD0.47
Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share  USD0.72 USD0.11USD(0.46)USD0.10 USD0.47
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Weighted average number of Ordinary 
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,776
------------------------------------                                   -----

Diluted average number of Ordinary
  Shares in issue (millions)                                           1,780
------------------------------------                                   -----

Consolidated Balance Sheet

                                                           30 June    31 Dec
                                                              2000      1999
                               Notes                          USDm      USDm
------------------------------------                         -----     -----
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets                                        6,015     5,981
Goodwill and intangible assets                               3,503     3,736
Fixed asset investments                                        187       185
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                             9,705     9,902
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Current assets
Stocks                                                       2,370     2,156
Debtors                                                      4,930     4,470
Cash and short-term investments    4                         2,953     3,288
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                            10,253     9,914
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Total assets                                                19,958    19,816
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Creditors due within one year
Short-term borrowings and current 
  instalments of loans             4                          (444)     (378)
Other creditors                                             (6,356)   (6,641)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                            (6,800)   (7,019)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net current assets                                           3,453     2,895
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Total assets less current 
  liabilities                                               13,158    12,797
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Creditors due after more than one
   year
Loans                              4                          (749)     (739)
Other creditors                                               (451)     (463)
Provisions for liabilities and
  charges                                                   (1,278)   (1,253)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                            (2,478)   (2,455)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net assets                                                  10,680    10,342
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Capital and reserves
Shareholders' funds - equity
   interests                       3                        10,636    10,302
Minority equity interests                                       44        40
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Shareholders' funds and minority 
  interests                                                 10,680    10,342
------------------------------------                         -----     -----


Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

                                                              2000      1999
For the six months ended 30 June                              USDm      USDm
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net profit for the period                                    1,548       832
Exchange adjustments on net assets                            (432)     (491)
Translation differences on foreign 
  currency borrowings                                           (5)       (5)
Tax on translation differences on
  foreign currency borrowings                                    1         -
Other movements                                                 (6)       (6)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Total recognised gains and losses 
  relating to the period                                     1,106       330
------------------------------------                         -----     -----


Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

                                                              2000      1999
For the six months ended 30 June                              USDm      USDm
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Cash flow from operating activities
Operating profit before exceptional
  items                                                      2,389     2,174
Depreciation                                                   354       378
Amortisation                                                   159       142
Increase in working capital                                   (655)     (853)
Other non-cash movements                                        32       136
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net cash inflow from operating
  activities before exceptional 
   items                                                     2,279     1,977
Outflow related to exceptional items                          (445)     (997)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                                                 1,834       980
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Dividends received from joint
  ventures and associates                                        -         3
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Returns on investments and servicing
  of finance                                                    27       (49)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Tax paid                                                      (419)     (550)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Capital expenditure and financial 
  investment
Net cash expenditure on fixed assets                          (636)   (1,830)
New fixed asset investments                                     (3)        -
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                              (639)   (1,830)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Acquisitions and disposals                                       -     1,945
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Equity dividends paid to Shareholders                         (820)     (800)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----
Net cash outflow before management
  of liquid resources and financing                            (17)     (301)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Management of liquid resources
Movement in short-term investments
  and fixed deposits (net)                                     667    (1,011)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Financing                                                     (274)      324
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Increase / (decrease) in cash in 
  the period                                                   376      (988)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----



Independent Review Report to AstraZeneca PLC by KPMG Audit Plc 


Introduction

We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information 
for the six month period ended 30 June 2000 set out on pages 12 to 22, and 
we have read the other information contained in the interim report and 
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material 
inconsistencies with the financial information.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim report, including the financial information contained therein,
is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors.  The 
Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the 
accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should
be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts 
except where they are to be changed in the next annual accounts, in which
case any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.

Review work performed

We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 
1999/4 (Review of Interim Financial Information) issued by the Auditing 
Practices Board.  A review consists principally of making enquiries of group 
management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information
and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the 
accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless 
otherwise disclosed.  A review is substantially less in scope than an audit 
performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a
lower level of assurance than an audit.  Accordingly, we do not express 
an audit opinion on the financial information.

Review conclusion

On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications
that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six
months ended 30 June 2000.


KPMG Audit Plc          
Chartered Accountants                              
London                                                 

31 July 2000   


Notes to the Interim Financial Statements


1   BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The interim financial statements have been prepared using the merger method
of accounting in relation to the merger of Zeneca Group PLC and Astra AB 
which became effective on 6 April 1999.  Under merger accounting, the
results and cash flows of Zeneca Group PLC and Astra AB are combined 
from the beginning of the financial period in which the merger occurred 
and their assets and liabilities combined at the amounts at which they were 
previously recorded after adjusting to achieve consistency of accounting 
policies.  

The unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2000 have been 
prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting principles.
The accounting policies applied are those set out in AstraZeneca PLC's 1999
Annual Report and Form 20-F except that during the period under review 
AstraZeneca adopted, Financial Reporting Standard No. 15 'Tangible Fixed 
Assets' (FRS15) and Financial Reporting Standard No. 16 'Current Tax' 
(FRS16).  The adoption of FRS15 and FRS16 had no material impact on the
Group's results or net assets.

Continuing operations comprises principally the Ongoing Healthcare 
operations and the group's Agrochemicals business.  The latter (excluding
the Advanta joint venture) has been classified as 'Operations to be 
discontinued' following the announcement on 2 December 1999 to merge the 
business with the agrochemicals business of Novartis to form Syngenta AG.  
Discontinued operations comprise the Zeneca Specialties business sold on
30 June 1999.

The statements are unaudited but have been reviewed by the auditors and 
their report is set out above.  The statements do not comprise the statutory 
accounts of the group.  Statutory accounts for AstraZeneca PLC for the year 
ended 31 December 1999 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain
any statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985.


2   JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES

The group's share of joint ventures' sales for the half year to 30 June 
2000 amounted to USD158m and USD168m for the comparative period.  Share of 
joint ventures' and associates' operating profits for the half year to 30 
June 2000 amounted to USD19m and nil respectively, and for the comparative 
period USD22m and USD1m, respectively.


3   RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS

                                                           30 June   30 June
                                                              2000      1999
                                                              USDm      USDm
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Shareholders' funds at beginning of
  period                                                    10,302    10,929
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net profit for the period                                    1,548       832
Dividends                                                     (406)     (408)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

                                                             1,142       424
Issue of AstraZeneca PLC Ordinary 
  Shares                                                         5        11
Repurchase of AstraZeneca PLC 
  Ordinary Shares                                             (353)        -
Foreign currency adjustments                                  (436)     (496)
Goodwill realised                                                -       420
Minority interest buy out                                      (18)     (137)
Other movements                                                 (6)       (6)
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Net addition to Shareholders' funds                            334       216
------------------------------------                         -----     -----

Shareholders' funds at end of period                        10,636    11,145
------------------------------------                         -----     -----


4   NET CASH FUNDS

The table below provides an analysis of net cash funds and a reconciliation 
of net cash flow to movement in net cash funds.

                                                               Exch-       
                                       At 31           Other    ange   At 30
                                         Dec    Cash    Non-   move-    June
                                        1999    flow    cash   ments    2000
                                        USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm    USDm
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Loans due after 1 year                  (739)    (24)      9       5    (749)
Current instalments of loans             (34)      6      (9)      1     (36)
Finance leases                            (2)      -       -       -      (2)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Total loans and lease finance           (775)    (18)      -       6    (787)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Short-term investments                 2,859    (667)      -     (19)  2,173
Cash                                     429     386       -     (35)    780
Overdrafts                              (167)    (10)      -      (3)   (180)
Short-term borrowings, excluding                
  overdrafts                            (177)    (56)      -       5    (228)
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

                                       2,944    (347)      -     (52)  2,545
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net cash funds                         2,169    (365)      -     (46)  1,758
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Issue of AstraZeneca PLC Ordinary
  Shares                                          (5)               
Repurchase of AstraZeneca PLC
  Ordinary Shares                                353   
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----

Net cash outflow before management
  of liquid resources and financing              (17)         
------------------------------------   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----





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