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                                   EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 333-72243; Form S-8 No. 333-70741; Form S-8 No. 333-49417; Form
S-3 No. 333-63437; Form S-3 No. 333-47293; Form S-3/A, No. 333-29565 and Form
S-3/A, No. 333-35551) of NCS HealthCare, Inc. and in the related prospectuses of
our report dated August 18, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of NCS HealthCare, Inc. and subsidiaries included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2000.


                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
September 25, 2000