New Appointments

AstraZeneca PLC
01 July 2003



                        ASTRAZENECA PLC APPOINTS TWO NEW
                            NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS


AstraZeneca PLC today announced that two new Non-Executive Directors are to join
the Board of Directors with immediate effect.

They are Ms. Michele Hooper, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of
Stadtlander Drug Company in the US and earlier with Baxter, and Mr Joe Jimenez,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Heinz Europe.

Mr. Percy Barnevik, Chairman of AstraZeneca, said:  'I am very pleased that
Michele Hooper and Joe Jimenez are joining us.  Michele brings considerable
experience of the US healthcare industry and Joe has expertise in brand
development and consumer marketing both in the US and Europe.  This experience
will add great benefit to the work of the Board.'


1 July 2003


Media Enquiries:
Emily Denney, Tel: [phone]
Steve Brown, Tel: [phone]

Investor Relations:
Mina Blair Robinson, Tel: [phone]
Jonathan Hunt, Tel:  [phone]


NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS:

The biographical details of Ms.Hooper and Mr. Jimenez are as follows:

Ms Michele J Hooper (51)

Business experience

     Stadtlander Drug Company
            President and CEO (1998 - 1999)

     Baxter (including Baxter spin-offs) (1976 -1998)

     •   Caremark International (Now Medpartners Inc.)
             Corporate VP And President - International Businesses (1992 - 1998)

     •   Alternate Site International
              President (1991 - 1992)

     •   Baxter Healthcare Corp.
              President - Canada (1988 - 1991)

     •   Baxter International, Inc.
              VP - Corporate Planning (1984 - 1998)

     •   Baxter Healthcare Corp.
              Various Management Positions (1976 - 1984)

Current Boards
          
          PPG Industries, Inc.
          Target Corporation
          Davita Inc.

Mr Joe Jimenez (42)

Business Experience

     H J Heinz Company

     o    Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer - 
          Heinz Europe (2002 to present)
     o    Senior Vice President and President - Heinz North America (2001 - 
          2002)

     o    Corporate Vice President and President - Heinz North America (1998 -
          2001)

          Conagra

     o    President - Hunt Wesson/Peter Pan & Orville Redenbacher/Swiss Miss 
          Food Cos. (1997 - 1998)

     o    Various positions including Senior Vice President - Marketing, 
          Orville Redenbacher/Swiss Miss & Vice President - Marketing, La Choy / 
          Rosarita & Vice President - Orville Redenbacher Popcorn (1993 - 1997)

          Clorox Company
          
     o    Senior Marketing Officer (1984 - 1993)


Current Boards
     Hain Celestial Group, Inc.


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