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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-3 No. 33-95732, Form S-3 No.T 333-27753, Form S-3 No. 333-38327 and Form
S-3 No. 333-54446) of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and in the related
Prospectuses, in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-95262) pertaining
to the 1993 Stock Option Plan of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the 1993
Restricted Stock Plan of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and options granted to
directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company pursuant
to other employee benefit plans of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and in the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-14867) pertaining to the 1993 Stock
Option Plan of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the 1996 Directors Stock Option
Plan of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and options granted to directors,
officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company pursuant to other
employee benefit plans of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of our report dated
February 28, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and subsidiaries incorporated by reference in
this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
March 6, 2001