UNITED STATES
                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C. 20549

                               FORM 8-K

                            CURRENT REPORT

    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


             Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                             April 1, 1999

                      ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               DELAWARE
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               (State of other jurisdiction of incorporation)

        0-9314                                      83-0221517
- ------------------------                   ---------------------------------
(Commission File Number)                   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

2600 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 176, Dallas, Texas                  75207
- -----------------------------------------------                ----------
   (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)


            Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
            ---------------------------------------------------
                             (214) 905-5100


                                  N/A       
       ------------------------------------------------------------
       (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Item 5.   Other Events

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement 
to acquire Virologix Corporation ("Virologix"), a private company focused on 
the development of product candidates for the prevention and treatment of 
viral diseases including HIV. Under terms of the acquisition agreement the 
Virologix shareholders will receive an undisclosed amount of Access Common 
Stock. It is anticipated that the closing of the acquisition will take place 
within the next 60 days. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of
Directors of both companies and the closing is subject to the approval of the 
Virologix's shareholders, the completion of a private placement by Access and 
other customary closing conditions.


                             SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                                ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.


                                                By:  /s/ Kerry P. Gray
                                                ------------------------
                                                Title: President and CEO

Dated: April 1, 1999