EXHIBIT 23(b)


         Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants

The Board of Directors of
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

We have issued our report dated March 3, 2000 accompanying the consolidated
financial statements of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and subsidiaries
appearing in the 1999 Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999, which is incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference
in the Registration Statement of the aforementioned report and to the use
of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts".


/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
- ------------------------
GRANT THORNTON LLP


Dallas, Texas
April 26, 2000