Form: SB-2

Optional form for registration of securities to be sold to the public by small business issuers

January 26, 2000

CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP

Published on January 26, 2000



EXHIBIT 23(b)

Independent Auditors' Consent


The Board of Directors of
ACCESS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

We consent to the use of our report on the 1998 consolidated financial
statements of ACCESS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a development stage
enterprise) included herein and to the reference to our Firm under the
heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

Our report dated February 12, 1999, contains an explanatory paragraph that
states that the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has
incurred negative cash flows from operations since inception and these
matters raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going
concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.



/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
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GRANT THORNTON LLP


Dallas, Texas
January 24, 2000