AstraZeneca Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2008

Adapting to the changing environment

We continue to adapt to the changing demands and market conditions. Restructuring of our Established Market sales forces is being made to deliver efficiencies within a challenging business environment alongside the expansion of our Emerging Market teams to ensure we are appropriately resourced to deliver the full potential of the business opportunities in these countries.

Our business in Europe is now delivering improved productivity following our re-structuring programme which over the last two years significantly reduced sales force numbers and marketing spend across all our major marketing companies in the region. Productivity benefits are also being seen in Japan, where we continue to reshape our sales and marketing cost base to support existing well performing brands and prepare for potential launches of new products.

In key Emerging Markets, in line with our future growth ambitions, we increased our sales and marketing spending by double-digit growth rates in 2008 and we continue to expand our sales forces to support our strategic expansion in these areas.