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                         SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, constitutes and
appoints BRADLEY C. ANDERSON as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Zila, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with any and all
amendments to such Form 10-K, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto,
and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting to such attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
that such attorney-in-fact and agent, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     DATED:  October 27, 2000

                                             /s/ Joseph Hines
                                             --------------------------
                                             JOSEPH HINES

STATE OF ARIZONA    )
                    )
County of Maricopa  )

     On the 27th day of October, 2000, before me, the undersigned Notary
Public, personally appeared JOSEPH HINES, known to be the person whose name
is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he executed the
same for the purposes therein contained.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.

                                             /s/ Janice L. Backus
                                             --------------------------
                                             Notary Public


My commission expires:
[seal of Janice L. Backus]

                                       EXHIBIT
                                        24-A