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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 on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Salix
Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. for the registration of 4,600,000 shares of its common
stock and to the inclusion therein of our report dated February 5, 2002, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Salix
Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2001 included therein,
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 2,
2001, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
February 12, 2002

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