Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in this  registration  statement  on Form S-3 of our report  dated 29
February  2000 included in Shire  Pharmaceuticals  Group plc's Form 10-K for the
year ended 31 December  1999 and to all  references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.

Arthur Andersen
Chartered Accountants

Reading
UK

16 June 2000