1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-73053) of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of our report dated May 11, 2001 relating to the financial statements of the King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings, which appears in this Form 11-K. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Atlanta, Georgia June 29, 2001