AstraZeneca is undergoing a global restructuring initiative which involves rationalisation of the global supply chain, the sales and marketing organisation,IT and business support infrastructure, and R&D. Employee costs in connection with the initiatives are recognised in severance provisions.
Details of the environmental and legal provisions are provided in Note 27.
Employee benefit provisions include the Deferred Bonus Plan. Further details are included in Note 26.
Other provisions comprise amounts relating to specific contractual or constructive obligations and disputes.
No provision has been released or applied for any purpose other than that for which it was established.