Analysts Cut Forecasts for Crestor

Leading brokers slashed sales forecasts for AstraZeneca cholesterol drug Crestor on Friday, lopping more than 1.5 percent off shares in Europe's third largest drugmaker. Goldman Sachs and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein both said they doubted the drug would stage a significant recovery, following attacks on its safety record by critics. "The major barrier to product uptake is safety perception," Dresdner analyst Anthony Colletta said in a note, reiterating his "sell" recommendation on the stock.

Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7740420)