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                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints John M. Siebert and David A. Feste
and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CIMA
Labs Inc. for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, and all amendments to
such Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


         Signature                                           Date
         ---------                                           ----


/s/ John M. Siebert                                     March 24, 2000
- -------------------
John M. Siebert
  President & Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer) and Director


/s/ Terrence W. Glarner                                 March 23, 2000
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Terrence W. Glarner
  Director


/s/ Steven B. Ratoff                                    March 22, 2000
- --------------------
Steven B. Ratoff
  Director


/s/ Joseph R. Robinson                                  March 22, 2000
- ----------------------
Joseph R. Robinson
  Director