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
May 24, 2000