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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4



                         CONSENT OF WILLIAM C. SHEPHERD

                                                                 January 9, 1998

Allergan Specialty Therapeutics, Inc.
2525 Dupont Drive
Irvine, CA  92612

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I hereby consent to being named as expected to become a director and the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Allergan Specialty Therapeutics, Inc.
(the "Company") in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-40503,
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                        Sincerely,


                                        /s/ William C. Shepherd
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        William C. Shepherd