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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report, dated
November 1, 1996, with respect to the combined balance sheet of Clinical Health
Systems-Washington, Inc., Clinical Health Systems-Northwest, Inc., and the Care
for Life Division of Health Service Pharmacy, as of December 31, 1995 and the
combined statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year
then ended, included in NCS Healthcare, Inc.'s Form 8-K, as amended, dated
November 1, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration
statement.

                                                 Arthur Andersen LLP

Washington, D.C.
June 13, 1997