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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 3,000,000 shares of its common
stock.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
March 29, 1999, except for paragraph 13 of Note I and Notes H and L as to which
the date is September 3, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, included in the Annual Report, as amended
(Form 10-K/A, Amendment No. 2) for 1998 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Cincinnati, Ohio
November 19, 1999