Exhibit 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


   
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 of the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-43223) of our report dated February 23, 1995
appearing on page 19 of Alpharel, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1994.  We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
    


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Diego, California
October 19, 1995