The charge for share-based payments in respect of share plans is $211m (2014: $178m; 2013: $156m). The plans are equity settled.
The AstraZeneca Performance Share Plan
This plan was approved by shareholders in 2005 for a period of 10 years. Generally, awards could be granted at any time, but not during a close
period of the Company. The first grant of awards was made in June 2005. Awards granted under the plan vest after three years and can be
subject to the achievement of performance conditions. The Remuneration Committee has responsibility for agreeing any awards under the plan
and for setting the policy for the way in which the plan should be operated, including agreeing performance targets and which employees would
be invited to participate. There were no grants of awards under this plan in 2015. The plan has been replaced by the AstraZeneca 2014 Performance
Share Plan