Sunovion Pharmaceuticals (SEPR) 10-K 2001 FY Annual report

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 33-43460, 33-44808, 33-48428, 333-05217, 333-05219, 333-94774, 333-48719, 333-05221, 333-58557, 333-58559, 333-58563, 33-48429, 33-63710, 33-79724, 333-85003, 333-84983 and 333-58368) and Forms S-3 (File Nos. 333-460, 333-51879, 333-75561, 333-36958 and 333-76502) of Sepracor Inc. of our report dated January 21, 2002, except as to the information in Note V for which the date is March 27, 2002, relating to the financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report to Shareholders, and are incorporated by reference from the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January 21, 2002, except as to the information in Note V for which the date is March 27, 2002, relating to the financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 29, 2002

QuickLinks

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS