EXHIBIT 23.3

                      CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

      We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 23, 2001 relating to the
financial statements of Ascent Pediatrics, Inc., which appears in Medicis
Pharmaceutical Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated January 29,
2002. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Registration Statement.


/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston Massachusetts
July 24, 2002