EXHIBIT 23.1 ------------ CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated March 17, 1999 (except for the matter discussed in Note 12 for which the date is April 13, 1999) included in BioMarin Pharmaceutical's Registration Statement on Form S-1 and to all references to our firm included in this registration statement. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN L.L.P. San Francisco, California August 6, 1999