SHIRE PHARMACEUTICALS GROUP PLC
Hampshire International Business Park,
Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8EP  UK
Tel +44 1256 894000 Fax +44 1256 894708
http://www.shire.com



Stock Exchange Announcement
24 February 2003



Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (the "Company")

The Company announces that it was notified on 21 February 2003 under Sections
198 to 202 of the Companies Act that on 20 February 2003 The Capital Group
Companies Inc, including its affiliates Capital Guardian Trust Company, Capital
International Limited, Capital International Inc and Capital International SA,
had holdings forming part of funds managed on behalf of investment clients of
14,254,076 ordinary shares of (pound)0.05p each in the capital of the Company.
These holdings represent 2.943 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of
the Company and accordingly The Capital Group Companies Inc no longer have a
notifiable interest in the capital of the Company.


T May
Company Secretary


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Investor Relations
Gordon Ngan: +44 1256 894 160

NOTES TO EDITORS

SHIRE PHARMACEUTICALS GROUP PLC

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (Shire) is a rapidly growing international
specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on four therapeutic
areas - central nervous system disorders (CNS), oncology, gastro-intestinal (GI)
and anti-infectives. Shire also has three platform technologies: advanced drug
delivery, lead optimisation for small molecules and biologics. Shire's core
strategy is based on research and development combined with in licensing and a
focus on eight key pharmaceutical markets.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website:
www.shire.com