EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-71851) of Algos Pharmaceutical Corporation (a development stage enterprise) of our report dated March 4, 1999 relating to the financial statements appearing in this Form 10-K/A. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Florham Park, New Jersey April 30, 1999