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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 333-28139) and related Prospectus
of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the registration of 89,369 shares of
common stock.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
March 27, 1997 except for Notes L and M, as to which the dates are May 5, 1997
and June 4, 1997, respectively with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, included in the Annual Report, as amended
(Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2) for 1996 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
August 15, 1997