Independent Auditors' Consent


The Board of Directors
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
333-100800) on Form S-8 of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., of our report dated
June 12, 2003, with respect to the statements of net assets available for
benefits of the Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. Union Retirement Savings Plan (the
Plan) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the related statement of changes in
net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2002, and the
related schedule, which report appears in the December 31, 2002 Annual Report on
Form 11-K of the Plan.




Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 30, 2003