Final Results Part 1 of 2

AstraZeneca PLC
8 February 2001


Part 1 of 2

AstraZeneca PLC
Full Year Results 2000

             'Profit before tax up 16 per cent; EPS up 18 per cent'

Financial Highlights (before Exceptional Items)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               ---------------------------------------------
Group                            Full Year         Full Year        Constant
(Continuing operations*)              2000              1999        Currency
                                      USDm              USDm               %
                               ---------------------------------------------

Sales                               15,804            15,134              +8
Operating Profit                     3,984             3,570             +14
Profit before Tax                    4,110             3,556             +16
Earnings per Share
  Group                            USD1.64           USD1.41             +18
  Group (Statutory FRS3)           USD1.44           USD0.64
                               ---------------------------------------------

* Excluding Specialties and Agrochemicals from both periods

All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at constant exchange
rates (CER)

-   Sales up 8 per cent; US Pharmaceuticals up 12 per cent
-   Operating profit up 14 per cent; EPS up 18 per cent  
-   Strength of US Dollar reduced reported sales by 4 per cent and operating
    profit by 2 per cent
-   Important growth products up 50 per cent; Life cycle initiatives fuel 
    growth of Atacand, Casodex, Arimidex, Zomig, and Seroquel
-   Continued good progress with the new product pipeline, with fourteen high 
    quality candidate drugs nominated for development, ahead of target
-   The statutory accounts for the Group include the results of Specialties
    through 30 June 1999, and for Agrochemicals through 13 November 2000.
    Including the results of these discontinued operations the Group had 
    reported sales of USD18,103 million (USD18,445 million in 1999), operating
    profit (pre exceptional items) of USD4,330 million (USD3,908 million in
    1999), and EPS of USD1.44 (USD0.64 in 1999)

Tom McKillop, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Significant progress was made
last year.  Following the demerger of Agrochemicals, we became one of the 
most focused pharmaceutical companies in the industry; AstraZeneca is
operating successfully as a single unified global organisation, and our
exciting R&D pipeline made strong progress.  These are important
achievements which give us confidence that we will deliver sustained growth
in shareholder value.'


AstraZeneca PLC
Fourth Quarter Results 2000

Financial Highlights (before Exceptional Items)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               ---------------------------------------------
Group                          4th Quarter       4th Quarter        Constant
(Continuing operations*)              2000              1999        Currency
                                      USDm              USDm               %
                               ---------------------------------------------
Sales                                4,144             3,916             +13
Operating Profit                       971               796             +22
Profit before Tax                    1,034               802             +23
Earnings per Share
  Group                            USD0.42           USD0.32             +25
  Group (Statutory FRS3)           USD0.19          USD(0.10)
                               ---------------------------------------------

* Excluding Specialties and Agrochemicals from both periods

All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at constant exchange 
rates (CER)

-    Sales up 13 per cent; US Pharmaceuticals up 22 per cent
-    Operating profit up 22 per cent 
-    EPS up 25 per cent
-    Strength of US Dollar reduced reported sales by 7 per cent and operating
     profit by 1 per cent 
-    The statutory accounts for the Group include the results of Agrochemicals
     through 13 November 2000.  Including the results of these discontinued
     operations the Group had reported sales of USD4,265 million (USD4,493 
     million in 1999), operating profit (pre exceptional items) of USD965 
     million (USD789 million in 1999), and EPS of USD0.19 (USD(0.10) in 
     1999).

London, 8 February 2001

Media Enquiries:              Steve Brown/Lucy Williams 
                              (London)               [phone]/5034
                              Staffan Ternby (Sodertalje)  [phone]
                              Rachel Bloom (Wilmington)    [phone]

Analyst/Investor Enquiries:   Michael Olsson (London)     [phone]
                              Staffan Ternby (Sodertalje)  [phone]
                              Ed Seage (Wilmington)        [phone]
                              Jorgen Winroth (Wayne)       [phone]

Photographs of the AstraZeneca annual results conference are available 
from newscast at www.newscast.co.uk from 1pm (UK time) today.

Business Highlights 2000 
All narrative in this section refers to growth 
rates at constant exchange rates (CER) unless otherwise indicated.

Healthcare sales in the fourth quarter returned to double digit growth 
(up 13 per cent) bringing sales for the year in line with our revised 
projection of 8 per cent.  Group operating profits increased by 22 per cent
for the quarter, and 14 per cent for the full year.  The strength of the 
dollar reduced reported operating profits by 1 per cent for the quarter and 
by 2 per cent for the full  year.  Earnings per share (before exceptional 
items) grew by 25 per cent in the quarter and by 18 per cent for the year.
The Board has recommended a second interim dividend of USD0.47 
(32.1 pence, SEK 4.49) which will be paid on 9 April 2001.

The key growth products grew by 50 per cent in aggregate, fuelled by 
important life cycle initiatives.  These included launches of Atacand 
Plus/Atacand HCT, Casodex for monotherapy of advanced prostate cancer,
Arimidex for first line treatment of advanced breast cancer, Zomig
Rapimelt tablets, and a further twenty country launches for Seroquel.  

For Losec/Prilosec it was another year of good growth.  Reported sales 
for Prilosec in the USA finished somewhat ahead of prescription growth 
in a highly competitive PPI market that grew by 21 per cent.  

The rollout of Nexium is underway, with launches in nine European markets 
to date.  We are still planning for a first quarter launch in the USA 
and are moving to closure on the last few significant issues with the 
FDA.

It was another productive year for the R&D organisation.  The Discovery group 
delivered fourteen new high quality candidate drugs into development,
exceeding their target.  The strength of our research programmes, the 
calibre of the scientists, the depth of the enabling technologies, and the
world class laboratory facilities that support their efforts were the focus
of the 12 December 2000 R&D presentation at Molndal.

Throughout the year, the progressive unveiling of major clinical data for 
Nexium, Viozan, the Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor, Iressa and 
Crestor has reinforced the promising product profiles which underpin 
our commercial ambitions.  As the year ended, this promise was beginning to 
be translated into performance in the market, with the first launches of 
Nexium and Symbicort.  The early information emerging from tracking 
the progress of these launches is very encouraging, and we look forward to 
continued progress in the coming year.

Future Prospects 
All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at 
constant exchange rates (CER) unless otherwise indicated.

The next two years will be challenging as we shift our reliance on hugely 
successful, yet maturing products, like Losec and Zestril, to the 
equally exciting new generation of medicines with high potential that will 
form the basis for future growth.  In the short-term, the aim is to balance
investment in new product launches to fuel our future growth, whilst 
delivering acceptable returns to shareholders.  

We have clearly signalled our intention to realise the full potential of 
the strong pipeline, including further investment in sales and marketing as 
the new products roll out, and also in research and development, 
particularly in post launch studies.  The realisation of the full 
synergy benefits, efficient deployment of resources and firm 
prioritisation of the portfolio will be essential in achieving this. 

Delivery of our current plans for 2001 would result in mid single digit 
sales growth and earnings per share growth slightly ahead of this. 

Disclosure Notice:  The preceding forward looking statements relating to 
expectations for earnings and business prospects for the Company are 
subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ 
materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements.  These 
include, but are not limited to: the timing of the launch of generic 
omeprazole in the USA, the successful registration and launch of new 
products (in particular Nexium and Crestor), continued growth of 
currently marketed products, the growth in costs and expenses, the amount 
of net interest income earned on the Group's cash balances, exchange rate 
fluctuations, and further improvements in the tax rate.  For further details
on these and other risks and uncertainties, see the Company's Securities and 
Exchange commission filings, including the 1999 annual report on Form 20-F.

Healthcare
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

All narrative in this section refers to the fourth quarter unless otherwise 
indicated. Growth rates are at constant currency.

Sales grew by 13 per cent; operating profits were up 22 per cent.

Gastrointestinal

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %       Full Year      CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------

Losec/Prilosec         1,728   1,522        +19    6,260  5,909         +9
Nexium                    13       -          -       17      -          -
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Total                  1,752   1,534        +20    6,322  5,957         +9
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    Prilosec sales in the USA for the quarter were 26 per cent ahead 
     of last year indicating some inventory building in the distribution 
     channels.  For the full year, this amounts to around 2 of the 10 
     percentage points of growth.  Market share in the antisecretory market 
     held steady at around 31 per cent, but continued to come under some 
     pressure from new entrants within the PPI segment which showed 
     continued strong growth (up 21 per cent).
-    The paediatric clinical trial programme for Prilosec was completed in 
     the fourth quarter, and the data were submitted to FDA for review.
-    Pre-trial proceedings are essentially complete for the first four 
     defendants in the US patent litigation for Prilosec in the USA.  The 
     parties await rulings on summary judgement motions and further 
     scheduling decisions as to the timing and venue for trial proceedings. 
-    Outside of the USA, Losec sales increased by 7 per cent in the quarter,
     with strong performances in France and Italy more than offsetting sales 
     declines elsewhere in some other European markets.
-    With launches in nine European markets, Nexium is off to an excellent 
     start.  Early market tracking from the UK and Germany indicate market 
     acceptance rivalling the best launches ever seen in these markets.
-    The broad GP launch of Nexium in Sweden, as well as a further 20 
     launches, is anticipated this year, including the USA.

Cardiovascular

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %       Full Year      CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Zestril                  228     297        -17    1,188   1,221        +1
Atacand                   97      55        +92      293     171       +82
Seloken/
  Toprol-XL              172     122        +50      577     531       +13
Plendil                  127     124        +10      480     452       +11
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Total                    842     870         +5    3,477   3,416        +6
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    As expected, sales of Zestril were down in the quarter.  Continued 
     inventory de-stocking in the USA led to a 30 per cent decline in 
     reported sales vs the fourth quarter 1999; coupled with rebate-related
     price variances on performance contracts recorded earlier in the year,
     this resulted in a 2 per cent growth in the USA for the year.  This 
     masks good underlying prescription growth of nearly 10 per cent, and 
     sales are anticipated to be more in line with prescription trends this 
     year.
-    A strong fourth quarter, particularly in the USA, brought Seloken/
     Toprol-XL full year growth rate more in line with the growing 
     demand for the product.
-    Atacand showed continued strong growth for the quarter and the year, 
     supported by the roll outs of Atacand Plus in many major markets.  
     Atacand HCT was launched in the USA in the fourth quarter.

Respiratory

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %      Full Year       CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------

Pulmicort                193     191        +13      705    730         +5
Accolate                  21      47        -55      152    156         -2
Rhinocort                 56      30        +97      221    167        +37
Oxis                      32      24        +58      116     87        +48
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Total                    348     347        +11    1,372  1,339        +10
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    In the USA sales of Pulmicort increased by 168 per cent in the 
     quarter and by 76 per cent for the year.  The successful launch of 
     Pulmicort Respules as well as a nearly 40 per cent increase in 
     prescriptions for the Turbuhaler drove this performance.  Competitor 
     inroads in the mature markets resulted in a more modest worldwide sales 
     increase.
-    Rhinocort performance benefited from the successful US launch of 
     Rhinocort Aqua.
-    Continued wholesaler de-stocking and a declining prescription trend 
     resulted in a weak quarter for Accolate in the USA, which more than
     offset the modest growth seen in other markets.
-    Symbicort received its first approval in Sweden.  Since its launch
     in late August market response has been encouraging, with an 8.2 
     per cent share of the inhaled steroid and fixed combination market 
     achieved in four months.  Further European launches in the first half 
     of this year will follow the December approval through the EU Mutual 
     Recognition Procedure.

Oncology

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %      Full Year       CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------

Casodex                  119      95        +33      433    340        +31
Arimidex                  39      40        +10      156    140        +19
Nolvadex                 171     144        +21      576    573         +1
Zoladex                  181     194         +1      734    686        +10
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Total                    518     480        +15    1,929  1,764        +12
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    Good growth continued for Casodex, with a particularly strong 
     performance in Japan.  The monotherapy claim for locally advanced 
     prostate cancer has now been launched in 9 markets, with notable 
     uptake seen in the UK and Sweden.  We plan to submit registrations for
     the treatment of early prostate cancer later this year.  The submission
     for the 150 mg tablet for use in advanced disease was withdrawn in the 
     USA; this dosage form will now be submitted in conjunction with the 
     early prostate filing.
-    US sales of Arimidex for the year were slightly behind the 14 per 
     cent increase in prescriptions; inventory building seen in the fourth 
     quarter last year makes for a difficult comparison.  Whilst competition 
     is intensifying in the aromatase inhibitor market, the year-end 
     approval in Japan, and the continued global roll-out of the first-line 
     indication underpin our near-term aspirations, ahead of the eagerly 
     awaited reports from the adjuvant trial program in early disease.
-    Nolvadex sales in the USA in the fourth quarter rebounded from the 
     de-stocking that marked the first nine month's results.  The year-end 
     growth rate still trails the 7 per cent growth in prescriptions.
-    Regulatory filings for Faslodex will commence in the first quarter of 
     2001, with the submission in the USA for second-line treatment of
     advanced breast cancer.  European and Japanese registrations will await
     the first line data, with filings anticipated in the first quarter 2002. 

Specialist/Hospital

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %      Full Year       CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------

Seroquel                 131      71        +89      424    232        +85
Zomig                     59      54        +18      237    189        +31
Merrem                    48      39        +33      170    153        +18
Diprivan                 114     144        -15      507    608        -14
Xylocaine                 63      65         +3      238    249         -3
Marcaine                  25      25         +4       92     88         +8
Astra Tech                29      29        +17      114    111        +13
Salick Health Care        41      44         -7      176    208        -15
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Total                    658     663         +5    2,598  2,566         +5
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    Seroquel had an excellent year, with prescription growth of around
     75 per cent in the USA, and its share of new prescriptions exceeded 12
     per cent in December.  We are also beginning to see some contribution 
     from the 20 new launches in 2000, including encouraging uptake in
     Germany and Italy.  Registration was achieved in Japan in December.
-    Zomig sales advanced on continued market share gains, helped by 
     the launch of Zomig Rapimelt tablets in 14 markets.  This 
     formulation was filed for US approval in June.  Zomig sales increased
     33 per cent for the year in the USA where it gained nearly 3 percentage
     points in market share in an otherwise sluggish triptan market.
-    Diprivan sales exceeded a half billion dollars for the year despite
     the availability of generic propofol in the US market, helped by 
     continued strong growth in Japan (up 28 per cent).

Geographic (Pharmaceuticals) 

                      ----------------------------------------------------
                       Fourth Quarter     CER %      Full Year       CER %
                      ----------------------------------------------------
                        2000    1999                2000   1999
                      ----------------------------------------------------
USA                    2,136   1,749        +22    7,977   7,156       +12
Europe                 1,267   1,421         +6    5,064   5,310        +6
Japan                    244     242         +3      825     710        +8
RoW                      430     438         +6    1,656   1,658        +2
                      ----------------------------------------------------

-    In the USA the growth rate in the fourth quarter rebounded sharply 
     from the depressed third quarter levels.  Prilosec increased 26 
     per cent for the quarter, and the rest of the portfolio also turned in 
     solid growth of 17 per cent (28 per cent if the abnormally weak 
     Zestril sales are excluded).
-    In Europe, sales in Germany (generics) and the UK (price reductions) 
     were down, while strong demand was seen in France and Italy.
-    Sales growth in Japan for the full year was again ahead of the market.
     Growth was driven by Casodex, Zoladex, and Diprivan.  
     Expansion of the Losec label and launches of the recently approved 
     Arimidex, Accolate and Seroquel feature prominently in this 
     year's outlook.

Operating Profit

Healthcare operating profit before exceptional items grew by 22 per cent 
to USD978 million for the quarter; and for the year reached USD4,011 
million, up 14 per cent.

The operating margin increased from 20.6 per cent in the fourth quarter 
of 1999 to 23.7 per cent, partly due to synergy benefits and a gain of 
USD56 million on the disposal of the antiseptics product range.  For the
full year the operating margin was 25.6 per cent, ahead of the target of 
25 per cent set for the year.

Synergy benefits of USD225 million were recorded in the fourth quarter 
bringing the total benefits to date to USD650 million, which is USD150 
million ahead of the original target.  Approximately USD500 million of the 
benefits are in the Selling, General and Administrative area.  Exceptional
items of USD100 million related to the ongoing integration and synergy 
programmes were charged in the quarter, bringing the total programme to 
USD1,186 million.  The balance of approximately USD150 million will be 
charged in 2001.

The fourth quarter was influenced by currency volatility, particularly 
through the weakened Euro.  Healthcare sales and profits were reduced in 
the quarter by 7 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.  For the full year,
exchange rate movements reduced sales by 4 per cent (approximately USD600 
million) and operating profits by 2 per cent (approximately USD75 million).
For 2001, if current spot rates stay constant for the  remainder of the 
year, we would estimate a further adverse impact of around 2 per cent on 
sales and profits, or 2 cents on earnings per share.

Agrochemicals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The demerger of the Agrochemicals business and the creation of Syngenta 
were completed on 13 November and shares in the new company were distributed 
to shareholders on the basis of one Syngenta share for every 40.237651 of 
AstraZeneca shares held.  The amount of this dividend in specie is recorded 
in the Group accounts at the book value of the net assets which were 
deconsolidated, USD2,059 million, together with USD813 million of related 
goodwill which had previously been written off to reserves, less debt and 
liabilities assumed by Zeneca Agrochemicals, USD1,203 million.  Following a 
refinancing, Syngenta repaid USD909 million of debt in cash.

The costs related to the demerger, which have been booked as an exceptional 
charge, amounted to USD150 million, together with a net tax cost of USD50 
million.  The Group has also taken an exceptional charge of USD88 million 
to provide for the impairment of its 50% interest in the seed company 
Advanta, and to write off USD49 million of related goodwill which had 
previously been taken to reserves.  

Interest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Group net interest income of USD135 million (1999 net cost of USD4 
million) includes one-time exchange gains of USD46 million, equivalent to 
2 cents per share.  The improvement in the Group's net interest 
position reflects its strong positive cash flow and the cash received from 
Syngenta.

Taxation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The effective tax rate for the full year was 33.8 per cent compared to 41.6
per cent last year.  Excluding exceptional items, the effective rate for 
the full year for the Group is 29.8 per cent (29.9 per cent last year), 
and for continuing operations 29.0 per cent (29.5 per cent last year). 

Cash Flow
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash generated from operating activities before exceptional items amounted 
to USD5.0 billion for the full year.  This was used to pay dividends to 
shareholders (USD1.2 billion), to fund capital expenditures and acquisition 
of minority interests of USD1.6 billion, exceptional items costs of USD0.8 
billion and to pay taxes of USD0.6 billion.  Net cash inflow for the year 
before financing transactions and the share repurchase programme was USD1.6 
billion, including USD0.9 billion net debt repayment from Syngenta.  At 31 
December 2000 the Group had net funds of USD3.6 billion.

Share Repurchase Programme
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

No further share repurchases were made during the fourth quarter of 
2000: 9.4 million shares were repurchased during the year at a cost of 
USD353 million.  We expect the programme of share buybacks to continue as 
part of a structured process of balance sheet management and shareholder 
return.

The total number of shares repurchased for cancellation since the start of 
the programme in December 1999 stands at 13.7 million at an aggregate cost 
of USD536 million.  The total number of shares in issue (as at 31 December 
2000) was 1,766 million.

Upcoming Milestones and Key Dates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

18-21 March        American College of Cardiology, Orlando, Florida: 
                   Crestor Phase III data 
First Quarter      Faslodex NDA submission for second line advanced 
                   breast cancer
26 April           First Quarter Results and Annual General Meeting
Second Quarter     Crestor NDA/MAA submissions
26 July            Half Year Results


Tom McKillop
Chief Executive Officer


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