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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors


         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Duramed
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the registration of 702,073 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March
27, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Annual Report, as amended (Form
10-K/A) for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                                  ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Cincinnati, Ohio
December 3, 1996