AstraZeneca Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2008

Passive foreign investment company rules

We believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for US federal income tax purposes for the year ended 31 December 2008, and do not expect to be a PFIC in the foreseeable future. However, since PFIC status depends on the composition of our income and assets and the market value of our assets (including, among others, less than 25%-owned equity investments) from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which Ordinary Shares or ADRs were held, certain adverse tax consequences could apply to US resident shareholders.