1


                                 EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 333-49417; Form S-3 No. 333-63437; Form S-3 No. 333-47293; Form
S-3/A No. 333-29565 and Form S-3/A No. 333-35551) of NCS HealthCare, Inc. and
in the related prospectuses of our report dated August 6, 1998, with respect to
the consolidated financial statements of NCS HealthCare, Inc. and subsidiaries
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended June 30, 1998.


                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
October 1, 1998