AstraZeneca PLC - Director/PDMR Shareholding

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Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:00pm EDT

RNS Number:2177R
AstraZeneca PLC
31 March 2008


Transaction by Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities

Disclosure Rules DTR 3.1.4R

We hereby inform you that on 28 March 2008 the following Directors of
AstraZeneca PLC were granted options under the AstraZeneca Share Option Plan
over the Company's USD0.25 Ordinary Shares.

                    Number of 
                    shares over    Exercise                       Total number      
                    which option   price per   Period when        of shares
Name of Director    is granted     share       exercisable        under option

D R Brennan         193,856        1882p       28.3.11-27.3.18    See below

S Lowth             70,138         1882p       28.3.11-27.3.18    88,803

J S Patterson       68,862         1882p       28.3.11-27.3.18    305,396

The options will become exercisable on 28 March 2011 subject to certain
performance conditions.  The conditions, which will not be subject to any
retesting, are that the earnings per share of the Company must increase by the
increase in the UK Retail Prices Index plus 5% per annum on average over three
years, and that no significant unforeseen event has taken place which, in the
reasonable opinion of the Remuneration Committee, has resulted in major
reputational damage to AstraZeneca, and the circumstances of which are
exceptional enough to justify the option not vesting and becoming exercisable.
Failure to satisfy either or both of these conditions will result in the lapse
of the option in its entirety.

David R Brennan, a Director of the Company, has previously received grants of
options over the Company's American Depositary Shares (ADSs).  One ADS equals
one Ordinary Share.  Following the grant of options referred to above, David
Brennan has options over 432,959 Ordinary Shares and 355,246 ADSs.

G H R Musker
Company Secretary
31 March 2008


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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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