AstraZeneca - a World Leader in Pain Control

Chronic pain, which affects millions of North Americans, can critically impact a person's quality of life and general well-being. Moreover, the economic costs are staggering. In North America alone, the direct and indirect costs of severe and chronic pain are substantial, with estimates ranging up to US$90 billion annually.

As a leading pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca is dedicated to the continual development of new medicines to improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy for many patients. The vision of AstraZeneca PLC is to become the leading company in pain control worldwide, both through maintenance and expansion of the firm's leading position in anaesthesia and through the introduction of innovative products that meet the needs in the large and rapidly growing analgesia segment.

We have a strong foundation from which to move forward. Globally, AstraZeneca has established itself as the preeminent leader in the local anaesthetics market, and is among the most successful within the pharmaceutical industry in bringing new products to market. Anaesthetic agents are prominent products in AstraZeneca's portfolio. AstraZeneca is also responsible for the development of a number of well-known and effective products.