AstraZeneca Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2008

Becoming lean and agile

We have to be relentless in our pursuit of opportunities to drive further efficiencies across the value chain. As well as the progress delivered in R&D, we have reshaped our manufacturing and packing activities to improve productivity whilst maintaining high standards of quality and security; we have established agreements with third parties who offer specialist outsourced expertise in areas ranging from data management to catering; and put even greater focus on leveraging efficiencies within our global procurement activity.

Our continuing drive to improve efficiency and effectiveness resulted in further planned reductions of our workforce in some areas of our business during 2008 and our work on these initiatives continues. My management teams and I take these changes very seriously and remain committed to ensuring that we manage these changes in line with our core values. Throughout, we have consulted with staff representatives and acted in line with local labour laws. We have also provided appropriate support to help individuals pursue their careers beyond AstraZeneca and have engaged with communities around the affected sites to mitigate the local impact.