EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 2 to
Registration Statement No. 333-82250 of Atrix Laboratories, Inc. on Form S-3 of
our report dated March 11, 2002 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion
and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in accounting
principle), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Atrix Laboratories,
Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2001 and to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration
Statement.



/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado

August 13, 2002