As filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on May 28,  2002
                                                      Registration No. 333-
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-3
                              --------------------
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933
                              --------------------
                         CURATIVE HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                               -------------------

          Minnesota                                            41-1503914
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S.Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification Number)

                                150 Motor Parkway
                            Hauppauge, New York 11788
                                 (631) 232-7000
   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
                              --------------------
                                 Joseph Feshbach
                         Interim Chief Executive Officer
                         Curative Health Services, Inc.
                                150 Motor Parkway
                            Hauppauge, New York 11788
                                 (631) 232-7000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)
                               -------------------
                                    Copy to:
                             Timothy S. Hearn, Esq.
                              Dorsey & Whitney LLP
                        50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
                                 (612) 340-2600
                            Facsimile: (612) 340-2868
                               ------------------
   Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to
time after this registration statement becomes effective.
   If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [_]
   If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
   If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
   If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title of each                                      Proposed
Class of           Amount to be  Proposed Maximum  Maximum Aggregate   Amount of
Securities to be   registered    Offering Price    Offering         Registration
registered         (1)           per share (2)     Price (2)                 Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock,      1,855,604        $13.02       $24,159,964             $2,223
$0.01 par value    shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) This amount represents shares to be offered by the selling shareholders from
   time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement at
   prevailing market prices at time of sale. In addition to the shares set forth
   in this table, the number of shares to be registered includes an
   indeterminable number of shares as may become issuable as a result of stock
   splits, stock dividends and similar transactions in accordance with Rule 416
   of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee based
   upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the Registrant's Common
   Stock on May 21, 2002, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment that specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933, or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                    Subject to completion, dated May 28, 2002




                                1,855,604 Shares


                         CURATIVE HEALTH SERVICES, INC.






                                  Common Stock

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1,855,604 shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of Curative Health
Services, Inc. are being offered by this prospectus. The shares will be sold
from time to time by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus. We will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sales.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"CURE". On May 24, 2002, the last sale price of our common stock as reported on
the Nasdaq National Market was $13.03 per share.

                             ----------------------


This investment involves risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 2.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved of anyone's investment in these securities or determined
if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offense.
                                 ---------------

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These
securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.


                     The date of this prospectus is , 2002.




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page

Summary.......................................................................1
Risk Factors..................................................................2
Selling Shareholders..........................................................12
Plan of Distribution..........................................................13
Legal Matters.................................................................13
Experts.......................................................................13
Where You Can Find More Information...........................................14
About This Prospectus.........................................................15



                                     SUMMARY

Business of Curative Health Services, Inc.

Curative Health Services, Inc. seeks to deliver high-quality results and
exceptional patient satisfaction for patients experiencing serious or chronic
medical conditions through two unique business units. Our Specialty Pharmacy
Services business unit provides services to help patients manage the healthcare
process and offers related pharmacy products to patients for chronic and
critical disease states. Through our Specialty Pharmacy Services business unit,
we purchase various biopharmaceutical products, which include both
pharmaceuticals (i.e., drugs) as well as biological products (e.g., hemophilia
factor), from manufacturers and then contract with insurance companies,
government agencies and other payors to provide distribution, education and
other support services in connection with these biopharmaceutical products. In
addition, as part of our Specialty Pharmacy Services operations, we provide
biopharmaceutical product distribution, data and support services under contract
with retail pharmacies. The biopharmaceutical products distributed by us are
used by patients with chronic or severe conditions such as hemophilia, hepatitis
C, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. We have contracts with
approximately 171 payors and 14 retail pharmacies. Our Specialty Pharmacy
Services business unit provides services directly to patients and caregivers via
mail order, overnight courier, retail pharmacy and having our community-based
representatives deliver the products.

Our Specialty Healthcare Services business unit is a leading disease management
company in chronic wound care management. Currently, our Specialty Healthcare
Services business unit manages, on behalf of hospital clients, a nationwide
network of Wound Care Center(R) programs that offer a comprehensive range of
services for treatment of chronic wounds. Our Wound Management Program(R)
consists of diagnostic and therapeutic treatment procedures which are designed
to meet each patient's specific wound care needs on a cost-effective basis. Our
treatment procedures are designed to achieve positive results for wound healing
based on our significant experience in the field. We maintain a proprietary
database of patient results that we have collected since 1988 containing over
350,000 patient cases. Our treatment procedures, which are based on our
extensive patient data, have allowed us to achieve an overall rate of healing of
approximately 80% for patients completing therapy. Our Wound Care Center network
consists of approximately 100 outpatient clinics (operating or contracted to
open), located on or near campuses of acute care hospitals in more than 32
states.

General

We were incorporated in the State of Minnesota in 1984 under the name Curatech,
Inc. We changed our name to Curative Technologies, Inc. in March, 1990 and to
Curative Health Services, Inc. in June, 1996. Our principal executive offices
are located at 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York 11788, telephone number
(631) 232-7000. Wound Care Centers(R), Wound Management Program(R) and our logo
are our trademarks. This prospectus also includes trade names and marks of other
companies.




                                  RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other
information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before
deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. Additional risks not presently
known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely
affect our business. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to
any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.


RISK RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

If we fail to comply with the terms of our settlement agreement with the
government, we could be subject to additional litigation or other governmental
actions which would be harmful to our business

On December 28, 2001, we entered into a settlement with the Department of
Justice, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the
United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, in
connection with all federal investigations and legal proceedings related to the
whistleblower lawsuits previously pending against us in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia. The focus of the government
investigation and resolution was the allegation that we improperly caused our
hospital customers to seek reimbursement for a portion of our management fees
that included costs related to advertising and marketing activities by our
personnel. Under the terms of the settlement, we were released from claims
associated with services we provided to hospitals and we agreed to pay the
United States a $9 million initial payment, with an additional $7.5 million to
be paid over the next four years. Pursuant to the settlement, we will be
required to fulfill certain additional obligations, including abiding by a
five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (which incorporates much of our existing
compliance program), avoiding violations of law and providing certain
information to the Department of Justice from time to time. If we fail or if we
are accused of failing to comply with the terms of the settlement we may be
subject to additional litigation or other governmental actions. In addition, as
part of the settlement, we consented to the entry of a judgment for $28 million
against us if we fail to comply with the terms of the settlement.

If the court does not approve the settlement agreement relating to our
shareholder litigation the resumption of litigation could be harmful to our
business

Subsequent to the disclosure of the Department of Justice action, we and, in
some cases, certain of our officers were named in four shareholder lawsuits. All
suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
New York. The four shareholder lawsuits have been consolidated into one
class-action lawsuit. On April 12, 2002, the parties executed a stipulation of
settlement which has been submitted to the court for its approval. Under the
terms of the proposed settlement, even though we maintained that there was no
basis for the imposition of liability, in order to avoid the delay and expense
of protracted litigation, we agreed to pay $10.5 million to the class, of which
$6.5 million will be paid in common stock, cash or a combination thereof, as
determined in Curative's sole discretion within three business days of final
approval of settlement by the court. The remaining $4 million will be paid from
insurance proceeds. This settlement is subject to notice to the class and court
approval.

We are involved in litigation which may harm the value of our business

In addition to the securities litigation described above, we are currently in
dispute with some of the former shareholders of eBioCare.com, Inc. over claims
by us for indemnification in connection with our acquisition of eBioCare.com,
Inc. These claims are for indemnification in an aggregate amount in excess of $3
million, which is currently held in escrow, for a breach of certain
representations and warranties made by such former shareholders. In response to
our indemnification claims, the former shareholders have filed a lawsuit in
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, on or about February 1,
2002 against us seeking a declaratory judgment in their favor with respect to
certain of our claims, and other remedies including the rescission of our
acquisition of eBioCare.com, Inc. On or about May 2, 2002, the court stayed the
litigation with respect to substantially all such claims, pending arbitration of
such matters. Although we believe this lawsuit is groundless and we intend to
defend these claims vigorously, an adverse result in this dispute could harm our
business.

                                       2


In addition, in the ordinary course of our business, we are the subject of or
party to various lawsuits, including those arising out of services or products
provided by or to its operations, personal injury and employment disputes, the
outcome of which, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse
effect on our financial position or results of operations.

If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our business will be harmed

Our growth strategy will likely place a strain on our resources, and if we
cannot effectively manage our growth, our business will be harmed. In connection
with our growth strategy, we will likely experience a large increase in the
number of our employees, the size of our programs and the scope of our
operations. Our ability to manage this growth and be successful in the future
will depend partly on our ability to retain skilled employees, enhance our
management team and improve our management information and financial control
systems.

As part of our growth strategy, we continue to evaluate acquisition
opportunities. Acquisitions involve many risks, including:

o     the specialty pharmacy industry is undergoing consolidation, therefore, we
      may experience difficulty in identifying suitable candidates and
      negotiating and consummating acquisitions on attractive terms;

o     in the industry in which our Specialty Pharmacy Services division
      operates, customers have a strong affiliation with their community-based
      representatives; it is sometimes difficult to retain and assimilate the
      community-based representatives of companies we acquire;

o     because of the relationships between community-based representatives and
      customers, the loss of a single community-based representative may entail
      the loss of a significant number of customers and we are therefore subject
      to a significant potential for loss of customers, especially during the
      periods in which we attempt to integrate newly-acquired businesses;

o     a growth strategy that involves significant acquisitions results in a
      diversion of our management's attention from existing operations;

o     intangible assets typically represent a significant portion of the value
      of specialty pharmacy businesses, therefore any future acquisition may
      involve increased amortization expense related to such assets and any such
      increase would decrease our earnings.

We could also be exposed to unknown or contingent liabilities resulting from the
pre-acquisition operations of the entities we acquire, such as liability for
failure to comply with health care or reimbursement laws.

We may need additional capital to finance our growth and capital requirements,
which could prevent us from fully pursuing our growth strategy

In order to implement our present growth strategy we will need substantial
capital resources and will incur, from time to time, short- and long-term
indebtedness, the terms of which will depend on market and other conditions.
Because our growth strategy depends largely on acquisitions of other companies
and the addition of customers, the amount and timing of our future capital needs
are uncertain. In addition, due to uncertainties inherent in the capital markets
(e.g., availability of capital, fluctuation of interest rates, etc.), we cannot
be certain that existing or additional financing will be available to us on
acceptable terms, if at all. As a result, we could be unable to fully pursue our
growth strategy. Further, additional financing may involve the issuance of
equity securities that would reduce the percentage ownership of our then current
shareholders.

We could be adversely affected by an impairment of the significant amount of
goodwill on our financial statements

Our acquisitions of the specialty pharmacy companies,  eBioCare.com,  Inc.,
Hemophilia  Access,  Inc.  and  Apex  Therapeutic  Care,  Inc.  resulted  in the
recording of a significant amount of goodwill on our financial  statements.  The
goodwill was recorded because the fair value of the net assets acquired was less
than the purchase price. We may not realize the full value of this goodwill:  we
evaluate on at least an annual basis whether events and  circumstances  indicate
that all or some of the carrying value of goodwill is no longer recoverable,  in
which  case we would  write off the  unrecoverable  goodwill  as a charge to our
earnings.

                                       3


Since our growth strategy will likely involve the acquisition of other
companies, we may record additional goodwill in the future. The possible
write-off of this goodwill could negatively impact our future earnings. We will
also be required to allocate a portion of the purchase price of any acquisition
to the value of any intangible assets that meet the criteria specified in the
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141 such as marketing,
customer or contract-based intangibles. The amount allocated to these intangible
assets could be amortized over a fairly short period. As a result, our earnings
and the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected.

We are highly dependent on our relationships with a limited number of
biopharmaceutical and other suppliers and the loss of any of these relationships
could significantly affect our ability to sustain or grow our revenues

The biopharmaceutical industry is susceptible to product shortages. Some of the
products that we distribute, such as intra-venous immuno globulin and blood- or
blood plasma-related products, are collected and processed from human donors.
Accordingly, the supply of these products is highly dependent on human donors
and their availability has been constrained from time to time. An industry wide
recombinant factor VIII product shortage has existed for some time, for various
reasons including manufacturers being unable to increase production to meet
rising global demand. In 2001, approximately 42%, or $15 million, of our
revenues derived from our sale of factor VIII. In 2001, we purchased our
supplies of blood and blood plasma-related products from the following five
manufacturers: Baxter Healthcare Corp., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Genetics Institute, Inc., Alpha Therapeutics Corp. and Aventis Behring. The
Company believes that these five manufacturers represent substantially all of
the production capacity for recombinant factor VIII. In the event that one of
these suppliers is unable to continue to supply us with product, it is uncertain
whether the remaining suppliers would be able to make up any shortfall resulting
from such inability. Our ability to take on additional customers or to acquire
other specialty pharmacy businesses with significant hemophilia customer bases
could be affected negatively in the event we are unable to secure adequate
supplies of our products from these manufacturers. Future availability of
product is unclear and we are not certain when the manufacturers will return to
normal product allocations. If these products, or any of the other drugs or
products that we distribute, are in short supply for long periods of time, our
business could be harmed.

If additional providers obtain access to favorably priced products we handle,
our business could be harmed

Because we do not receive federal grants under the Public Health Service Act, we
are not eligible to participate directly in a federal pricing program
administered by the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration's
Public Health Service, which allows certain entities with such grants, such as
certain hospitals and hemophilia treatment centers, to obtain discounts on
drugs, including certain biopharmaceutical products (e.g., hemophilia clotting
factor) which products represented 23% of our revenues in 2001. To the best of
our information, these entities benefit by being able to acquire, pursuant to
this federal program, products competitive with ours at prices lower than our
cost for the same products. Our customers, where eligible, may elect to obtain
hemophilia clotting factor, or other products, from such lower-cost entities and
this would result in a loss of revenue. The Federal Health Resources and
Services Administration issued a notice that we expect will broaden the number
of eligible Public Health Service entities purchasing Public Health
Service-priced hemophilia factor. If the number of hospitals and hemophilia
treatment centers eligible to participate in this program increases, the
increased competition, especially where such competitors are able to acquire
competing products at prices lower than our cost, may harm our business.

Recent investigations into reporting of average wholesale prices could reduce
our pricing and margins

Many government payors, including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as some private
payors, pay us directly or indirectly based upon the drug's average wholesale
price. If a drug's average wholesale price declines, and if we are unable to
recoup the full amount of such decline from our customers, we will lose
revenues. Biopharmaceutical products, including hemophilia factor, are included
as part of this drug reimbursement methodology. In 2001, 43% of our revenue
resulted from reimbursements based on the average wholesale price of our
products. Average wholesale price for most drugs is compiled and published by
private companies such as First DataBank, Inc. Various federal and state
government agencies have been investigating whether the reported average
wholesale price of many drugs, including some that we sell, is an appropriate or
accurate measure of the market price of the drugs. As reported in the Wall
Street Journal, there are also several whistleblower lawsuits pending against

                                       4


various drug manufacturers in connection with the appropriateness of the
manufacturer's average wholesale price for a particular drug. These government
investigations and lawsuits involve allegations that manufacturers reported
artificially inflated average wholesale prices of various drugs to First
DataBank, which in turn reported these prices to its subscribers including many
state Medicaid agencies who then included these average wholesale prices in the
state's reimbursement policies. In 2001, Bayer Corporation, an occasional
supplier of hemophilia factor to us, agreed to pay $14 million in a settlement
with the federal government and 45 states in order to close an investigation
regarding these charges. Bayer also entered into a five-year corporate integrity
agreement with the government, in which Bayer agreed to provide information on
the average sale price of its drugs to the government. In February 2000, First
DataBank published a Market Price Survey of 437 drugs, which was significantly
lower than the historic average wholesale price for a number of the clotting
factor and intra-venous immuno globulin products that we sell. Consequently, a
number of state Medicaid agencies have revised their payment methodology as a
result of the Market Price Survey. Although the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services had also announced that Medicare fiscal agents should
calculate the amount that they pay for Medicare claims for certain drugs by
using the lower prices on the First DataBank Market Price Survey, the proposal
to include clotting factor in the lower Medicare pricing was withdrawn. The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that it will seek
legislation that would establish payments to cover the administrative costs of
suppliers of clotting factor as a supplement to a lower average wholesale price
pricing for hemophilia factor.

On September 21, 2001, the United States House Subcommittees on Health and
Oversight & Investigations held hearings to examine how Medicare reimburses
providers for the cost of drugs. In conjunction with that hearing, the United
States General Accounting Office issued its Draft Report recommending that
Medicare establish payment levels for part-B prescription drugs and their
delivery and administration that are more closely related to their costs, and
that payments for drugs be set at levels that reflect actual market transaction
prices and the likely acquisition costs to providers. More recently, on March
14, 2002, the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Health conducted a
hearing on Medicare drug reimbursement issues, including average wholesale
price. This hearing reflects Congress' interest in possibly changing the manner
in which the government reimburses providers for drugs.

The government investigations and the changes occurring in the reporting of
average wholesale price and its effects on Medicare and Medicaid prices could
have a negative effect on our business. For example, if the reduced average
wholesale prices published by First DataBank for the drugs that we sell are
ultimately adopted as the standard by which we are paid by government payors or
private payors, this could have an adverse effect on our business, including
reducing the pricing and margins on certain of our products.

Our business would be harmed if demand for our products and services is reduced

Reduced demand for our products and services, in either our Specialty Pharmacy
Services or Specialty Healthcare Services businesses, could be caused by a
number of circumstances, including:

o     customer shifts to treatment regimens other than those we offer;

o     new treatments or methods of delivery of existing drugs that do not
      require our specialty products and services;

o     the recall of a drug;

o     adverse reactions caused by a drug;

o     the expiration or challenge of a drug patent;

o     competing treatment from a new drug, a new use of an existing drug or
      genetic therapy;

o     drug companies cease to develop, supply and generate demand for drugs that
      are compatible with the services we provide;

o     drug companies stop outsourcing the services we provide or fail to support
      existing drugs or develop new drugs;

                                       5


o     governmental or private initiatives that would alter how drug
      manufacturers, health care providers or pharmacies promote or sell
      products and services;

o     the loss of a managed care or other payor relationship covering a number
      of high revenue customers;

o     the cure of a disease we service; or

o     the death of a high-revenue customer.

Our business involves risks of professional, product and hazardous substance
liability and any inability to obtain adequate insurance may adversely affect
our business

The provision of health services entails an inherent risk of professional
malpractice, regulatory violations and other similar claims. Claims, suits or
complaints relating to health services and products provided by physicians,
pharmacists or nurses in connection with our Specialty Healthcare Services and
Specialty Pharmacy Services programs may be asserted against us in the future.

Our operations involve the handling of bio-hazardous materials. Our employees,
like those of all companies that provide services dealing with human blood
specimens, may be exposed to risks of infection from AIDS, hepatitis and other
blood-borne diseases if appropriate laboratory practices are not followed.
Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of
such materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and federal
regulations, the risk of accidental infection or injury from these materials
cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of such an accident, we could be
held liable for any damages that result, and such liability could harm our
business.

Our operations expose us to product and professional liability risks that are
inherent in managing the delivery of wound care services, and the provision and
marketing of biopharmaceutical products. We currently maintain professional and
product liability insurance coverage of $25 million in the aggregate. Because we
cannot predict the nature of future claims that may be made, we can not assure
you that the coverage limits of our insurance would be adequate to protect us
against any potential claims, including claims based upon the transmission of
infectious disease, contaminated product or otherwise. In addition, we may not
be able to obtain or maintain professional and product liability insurance in
the future on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential
liabilities.

We rely on key community-based representatives whose absence or loss could harm
our business

The success of our Special Pharmacy Services division depends upon our ability
to retain key employees known as community-based representatives, and the loss
of their services could adversely affect our business and prospects. Our
community-based representatives are our chief contact and maintain the primary
relationship with our customers and the loss of a single community-based
representative could result in the loss of a significant number of customers. As
of April 30, 2002, we had 29 community-based representatives, all of whom have
entered into one-year employment agreements with us. We do not have key man
insurance on any of our community-based representatives. In addition, our
success will depend, among other things, upon the successful recruitment and
retention of qualified personnel, and we may not be able to retain all of our
key management personnel or be successful in recruiting additional replacements
should that become necessary.

Our inability to maintain a number of important contractual relationships could
adversely affect our operations

Substantially all of the revenues of our Specialty Healthcare Services
operations are derived from management contracts with acute care hospitals. At
present, we have approximately 100 management contracts. The contracts generally
have initial terms of three to five years and many have automatic renewal terms
unless specifically terminated. During the year ending December 31, 2002, the
contract terms of 32 of our management contracts will expire, including 14
contracts which provide for automatic one-year renewals. The contracts often
provide for early termination either by the client hospital if specified
performance criteria are not satisfied, or by us under various other
circumstances. Historically, some contracts have expired without renewal and
others have been terminated by us or the client hospital for various reasons
prior to their scheduled expiration. During 2001, nine contracts expired without
renewal and an additional 31 contracts were terminated prior to their scheduled
expiration. Generally, these contracts were terminated by hospitals because of
the Specialty Healthcare Services legal action, hospital financial difficulties

                                       6


and Medicare reimbursement changes which reduced hospital revenues. Our
continued success is subject to our ability to renew or extend existing
management contracts and obtain new management contracts. Any hospital may
decide not to continue to do business with us following expiration of its
management contract, or earlier if such management contract is terminable prior
to expiration. In addition, any changes in the Medicare program or third-party
reimbursement levels which generally have the effect of limiting or reducing
reimbursement levels for health services provided by programs managed by us
could result in the early termination of existing management contracts and could
adversely affect our ability to renew or extend existing management contracts
and to obtain new management contracts. The termination or non-renewal of a
material number of management contracts could harm our business.

In addition, a portion of the revenues of our Specialty Pharmacy Services
operations is derived from contractual relationships with retail pharmacies. Our
success is subject to the continuation of these relationships and termination of
one or more of these relationships could harm our business.

Our business will suffer if we lose relationships with payors

We are highly dependent on reimbursement from non-governmental payors. For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 we derived approximately
100%, 100% and 74%, respectively, of our gross patient service revenue from
non-governmental payors, none of which individually accounted for more than 10%
of our total revenues. Many payors seek to limit the number of providers that
supply drugs to their enrollees. From time to time, payors with whom we have
relationships require that we and our competitors bid to keep their business,
and therefore, due to the uncertainties involved in any bidding process, we may
either not be retained or our margins may be adversely affected. The loss of a
significant number of payor relationships, or an adverse change in the financial
condition of a significant number of payors could result in the loss of a
significant number of patients and harm our business.

Changes in reimbursement rates may cause reductions in the revenues of our
operations

As a result of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services implemented the Outpatient Prospective Payment System for all
hospital outpatient department services furnished to Medicare patients beginning
August 2000. Under the system, a predetermined rate is paid to hospitals for
clinic services rendered, regardless of the hospital's cost. The new payment
system does not provide comparable reimbursement for previously reimbursed
services and the payment rates for many services are insufficient for many of
our hospital customers, resulting in revenue and income shortfalls for the wound
care center operations managed by us on behalf of the hospitals. As a result,
during 2000 and 2001, we renegotiated and modified many of our management
contracts, which has resulted in reduced revenue and income to us from the
modified contracts and in numerous cases contract termination. These
renegotiations resulted in reduced revenues of approximately $8.5 million. In
addition, we lost approximately $28 million in revenues as the result of
contract terminations. At any time during any given year, 10% to 20% of hospital
contracts are being renegotiated. We expect that contract renegotiation and
modification with many of our hospital customers will continue and this could
result in further reduced revenues and income to us from those contracts and
even contract terminations. These results could harm our business.

The Wound Care Center programs managed by Specialty Healthcare Services on
behalf of acute care hospitals are generally treated as "provider based
entities" for Medicare reimbursement purposes. This designation is required for
the hospital based program to be covered under the Medicare outpatient
reimbursement system. With the Outpatient Prospective Payment System, Medicare
published criteria for determining when programs may be designated "provider
based entities." Although the implementation date for Provider Based Designation
Regulations for our managed outpatient programs is October 2002, the regulations
continue to be subject to change and further clarification. Specialty Healthcare
Services' 11 managed "under arrangement" models, where we employ the clinical
and administrative staff that work in the center, are potentially at risk for
not meeting the criteria for a "provider based entity." Specialty Healthcare
Services has been in discussions with its "under arrangement" hospital customers
to convert the programs to a management model. The interpretation and
application of these criteria are not entirely clear and there is a risk that
some of the programs, in particular the 11 under arrangement models, managed by
Specialty Healthcare Services could be found not to be "provider based
entities." Although we believe that the programs it manages substantially meet
the current criteria to be designated "provider based entities," a widespread
denial of such designation would harm our business.

                                       7


The profitability of our Specialty Pharmacy Services operations depends in large
part on the reimbursement we receive from third-party payors. In recent years,
competition for patients, efforts by traditional third-party payors to contain
or reduce healthcare costs, and the increasing influence of managed care payors,
such as health maintenance organizations, have resulted in reduced rates of
reimbursement. If these trends continue, they could harm our business. The
profitability of our specialty pharmacy operations also depends, indirectly, on
reimbursement from third-party payors because our customers seek reimbursement
from third-party payors for the cost of drugs and related medical supplies that
we distribute. Changes in reimbursement policies of private and governmental
third-party payors, including policies relating to the Medicare, Medicaid and
other federally funded programs, could reduce the amounts reimbursed to these
customers for our products and in turn, the amount these customers would be
willing to pay for our products and services. In addition, where we have direct
relationships with payors, changes in their reimbursement policies may reduce
amounts payable directly to us by such payors. Changes in those reimbursement
policies could affect our customers, which in turn could harm our business.

We are subject to pricing pressures and other risks involved with commercial
payors

Commercial payors, such as managed care organizations and traditional indemnity
insurers increasingly are requesting fee structures and other arrangements
providing for health care providers to assume all or a portion of the financial
risk of providing care. The lowering of reimbursement rates, increasing medical
review of bills for services and negotiating for reduced contract rates could
harm our business. Pricing pressures by commercial payors may continue and our
business may be adversely affected by these trends.

Also, continued growth in managed care and capitated plans have pressured health
care providers to find ways of becoming more cost competitive. Managed care
organizations have grown substantially in terms of the percentage of the
population they cover and in terms of the portion of the health care economy
they control. Managed care organizations have continued to consolidate to
enhance their ability to influence the delivery of health care services and to
exert pressure to control health care costs. A rapid increase in the percentage
of revenue derived from managed care payors or under capitated arrangements
without a corresponding decrease in our operating costs could harm our business.

There is substantial competition in our industry and we may not be able to
compete successfully

The principal competition with our Specialty Healthcare Services business
consists of specialty clinics that have been established by some hospitals or
physicians. Additionally, there are some private companies which provide wound
care services through a hyperbaric oxygen therapy program format. In addition,
recently developed technologies, or technologies that may be developed in the
future, are or may be the basis for products which compete with our chronic
wound care services. We may not be able to enter into co-marketing arrangements
with respect to these products, and we may not be able to compete effectively
against such companies in the future. Our Specialty Pharmacy Services business
faces competition from other disease management entities, general health care
facilities and service providers, pharmaceutical companies, biopharmaceutical
companies as well as other competitors. Many of these companies have
substantially greater capital resources and marketing staffs and greater
experience in commercializing products and services than we have.

If we are unable to effectively adapt to changes in the healthcare industry, our
business will be harmed

Political, economic and regulatory influences are subjecting the health care
industry in the United States to fundamental change. Although Congress has
failed to pass comprehensive health care reform legislation thus far, we
anticipate that Congress and state legislatures will continue to review and
assess alternative health care delivery and payment systems and may in the
future propose and adopt legislation effecting fundamental changes in the health
care delivery system as well as changes to the Medicare Program's coverage and
payments of the drugs and services we provide. It is possible that future
legislation enacted by Congress or state legislatures will contain provisions
that may harm our business, or may change the operating environment for our
targeted customers (including hospitals and managed care organizations). Health
care industry participants may react to such legislation or the uncertainty
surrounding related proposals by curtailing or deferring expenditures and
initiatives, including those relating to our programs and services. It is also
possible that future legislation either could result in modifications to the
nation's public and private health care insurance systems, or coverage for
biopharmaceutical products, which could affect reimbursement policies in a
manner adverse to us, or could encourage integration or reorganization of the
health care delivery system in a manner that could materially and adversely
affect our ability to compete or to continue our operations without substantial
changes. Other legislation relating to our business or to the health care
industry may be enacted, including legislation relating to third-party
reimbursement, and such legislation may have a negative effect on our business.

                                       8


Our industry is subject to extensive government regulation and noncompliance by
us or our suppliers, our customers or our referral sources could harm our
business

The marketing, labeling, dispensing, storage, provision and purchase of drugs,
health supplies and health services including the biopharmaceutical products we
provide, are extensively regulated by federal and state governments, and if we
fail or are accused of failing to comply with laws and regulations, our business
could be harmed. Our business could also be harmed if the suppliers, customers
or referral sources we work with are accused of violating laws or regulations.
The applicable regulatory framework is complex, and the laws are very broad in
scope. Many of these laws remain open to interpretation, and have not been
addressed by substantive court decisions. The federal government, or states in
which we operate, could, in the future, enact more restrictive legislation or
interpret existing laws and regulations in a manner that could limit the manner
in which we can operate our business and have a negative impact on our business.

There are a number of state and federal laws and regulations that apply to our
operations including, but not limited to:

o    The federal  "anti-kickback  law"  prohibits the offer or  solicitation  of
     remuneration  in return for the referral of patients  covered by almost all
     governmental programs, or the arrangement or recommendation of the purchase
     of any item,  facility  or service  covered by those  programs.  The Health
     Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created new
     violations  for fraudulent  activity  applicable to both public and private
     health care  benefit  programs  and  prohibits  inducements  to Medicare or
     Medicaid eligible patients. The potential sanctions for violations of these
     laws  include  significant  fines,  exclusion  from  participation  in  the
     Medicare and Medicaid programs and criminal sanctions.  Although some "safe
     harbor" regulations attempt to clarify when an arrangement will not violate
     the  anti-kickback  law,  our  business  arrangements  and the  services we
     provide may not fit within  these safe  harbors.  Failure to satisfy a safe
     harbor  requires  further  analysis  of whether the  parties  violated  the
     anti-kickback  law. In addition to the anti-kickback  law, many states have
     adopted similar  kickback and/or  fee-splitting  laws, which can affect the
     financial relationships we may have with physicians,  vendors, other retail
     pharmacies  and patients.  The finding of a violation of the federal or one
     of these state laws could harm our business.

o    In  2000,  the  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  issued  final
     regulations  implementing the  Administrative  Simplification  provision of
     HIPAA concerning the  maintenance,  transmission and security of electronic
     health information, particularly individually identifiable information. The
     regulations,   when   effective,   will   require   the   development   and
     implementation  of security and  transaction  standards for all  electronic
     health information and impose significant use and disclosure obligations on
     entities that send or receive individually  identifiable  electronic health
     information.   As  a  result  of  these  regulations,   we  anticipate  new
     expenditures  in ensuring  that patient data kept on our computer  networks
     are in compliance with these regulations.  While we believe that we will be
     in compliance by the current  February 2003 deadline,  the cost of reaching
     compliance  may harm our  business.  Also,  failure  to comply  with  these
     regulations,  or wrongful  disclosure of confidential  patient  information
     could result in the  imposition of  administrative  or criminal  sanctions,
     including  exclusion  from the Medicare  and state  Medicaid  programs.  In
     addition,  if we  choose  to  distribute  drugs  through  new  distribution
     channels  such as the  Internet,  we will  have to comply  with  government
     regulations that apply to those distribution channels, which could harm our
     business.

o    The Ethics in Patient Referrals Act of 1989, as amended,  commonly referred
     to as the "Stark Law," prohibits physician referrals to entities with which
     the  physician  or  their  immediate   family  members  have  a  "financial
     relationship."  A  violation  of the  Stark  Law  is  punishable  by  civil
     sanctions,  including significant fines and exclusion from participation in
     Medicare and Medicaid.

o    State laws prohibit the practice of medicine,  pharmacy and nursing without
     a  license.  To the  extent  that we assist  patients  and  providers  with
     prescribed  treatment  programs,  a state could  consider our activities to
     constitute  the  practice  of  medicine.   In  addition,  in  some  states,
     coordination of nursing services for patients could  necessitate  licensure
     as a home health agency and/or could  necessitate  the need to use licensed
     nurses to provide certain  patient  directed  services.  If we are found to
     have violated those laws, we could face civil and criminal penalties and be
     required to reduce, restructure or even cease our business in that state.

                                       9


o    Pharmacies (retail,  mail-order and wholesale) as well as pharmacists often
     must obtain state licenses to operate and dispense  drugs.  Pharmacies must
     also obtain  licenses in some states in order to operate and provide  goods
     and services to residents of those states. If we are unable to maintain our
     licenses or if states  place  burdensome  restrictions  or  limitations  on
     non-resident pharmacies,  this could limit or affect our ability to operate
     in some states which could harm our business.

o    Federal and state  investigations and enforcement actions continue to focus
     on the health  care  industry,  scrutinizing  a wide range of items such as
     joint  venture  arrangements,   referral  and  billing  practices,  product
     discount  arrangements,   home  health  care  services,   dissemination  of
     confidential patient  information,  clinical drug research trials and gifts
     for patients or referral sources.

o    The federal False Claims Act encourages  private  individuals to file suits
     on behalf of the government  against health care providers such as us. Such
     suits could result in  significant  financial  sanctions or exclusion  from
     participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

There is a delay between our performance of services and our reimbursement

The health care industry is characterized by delays that typically range from
three to nine months between when services are provided and when the
reimbursement or payment for these services is received. This makes working
capital management, including prompt and diligent billing and collection, an
important factor in our results of operations and liquidity. Trends in the
industry may further extend the collection period and impact our working
capital.

We rely heavily on a limited number of shipping providers, and our business
would be harmed if our rates are increased or our providers are unavailable

A significant portion of our revenues result from the sale of drugs we deliver
to our patients and a significant amount of our products are shipped by mail,
overnight courier or in person through our community based representatives. The
costs incurred in shipping are not passed on to our customers and, therefore,
changes in these costs directly impact our margins. We depend heavily on these
outsourced shipping services for efficient, cost effective delivery of our
product. The risks associated with this dependence include:

o     any significant increase in shipping rates;

o     strikes or other service interruptions by these carriers; and

o     spoilage of high cost drugs during shipment, since our drugs often
      require special handling, such as refrigeration.


RISK RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

Possible volatility of stock price in the public market

The market price of our common stock has experienced and may continue to
experience substantial volatility. Over the past eight quarters, the market
price of our common stock has ranged from a low of $5.06 per share in second
quarter of 2000 to a high of $22.40 per share in the first quarter of 2002. Many
factors have influenced the common stock price in the past, including
fluctuations in our earnings and changes in our financial position, management
changes, low trading volume, and negative publicity and uncertainty resulting
from the legal actions brought against us. In addition, the securities markets
have from time to time experienced significant broad price and volume
fluctuations that may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular
companies. All of these factors could adversely affect the market price of our
common stock.

                                       10



Provisions of our articles of incorporation and Minnesota law may make it more
difficult for you to receive a change-in-control premium

Our board's ability to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock and issue up to 50,000,000 shares of common stock could adversely affect
the voting power of the holders of common stock, and could have the effect of
making it more difficult for a person to acquire, or could discourage a person
from seeking to acquire, control of our company. If this occurred you could lose
the opportunity to receive a premium on the sale of your shares in a change of
control transaction.

In addition, the Minnesota Business Corporation Act contains provisions that
would have the effect of restricting, delaying or preventing altogether certain
business combinations with any person who, after this offering becomes an
interested stockholder. Interested stockholders include, among others, any
person who, together with affiliates and associates, acquires 10% or more of a
corporation's voting stock in a transaction which is not approved by a duly
constituted committee of the board of the corporation. These provisions could
also limit your ability to receive a premium in a change of control transaction.


                                       11



                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

      We have agreed to register the resale of 1,855,604 shares of our common
stock on behalf of certain selling shareholders. All of the shares were issued
by us in connection with our acquisitions of Hemophilia Access, Inc. and Apex
Therapeutic Care, Inc. The following table lists the selling shareholders and
the number of shares each selling shareholder beneficially owns and may sell
pursuant to this prospectus from time to time. See "Plan of Distribution." None
of the selling shareholders has had a material relationship with us within the
past three years other than as a result of the ownership of our common stock or
as a result of their employment with us as of the date of the closing of the
acquisitions. Except as otherwise indicated, the number of shares owned by each
selling shareholder after the offering represents less than 1% of our
outstanding shares as of the date of this prospectus. Information about the
beneficial ownership of our shares prior to this offering is as of May 20, 2002
and has been given to us by the selling shareholders. The inclusion of any
shares in this table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by
the named selling shareholder.

                                     Number of    Maximum           Number of
                                     Shares       Number of         Shares
                                     Beneficially Shares To         Beneficially
                                     Owned        be Sold           Owned After
                                     Prior to     Pursuant          the
                                     the          to this           Offering (2)
Name of Selling Shareholder          Offering     Prospectus (1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margie Chitwood Akers                   175,824         49,633       126,191(3)
Fred and Lisa Copeland Family
Trust dated August 4, 1999              297,886        297,886             0
Jim Williams                            297,886        297,886             0
Jon and Ellen Tamiyasu
Irrevocable Trust No. 1                  59,577         59,577             0
Kelly and Valorie Smith Family
Trust dated December 15 1997            238,308        238,308             0
Kelly and Valorie Smith
Irrevocable Trust No. 1                  59,577         59,577             0
Kerlin Capital LLC                        6,219          6,219             0
Robert and Sandra Brooks Family
Trust dated April 10, 1987              297,886        297,886             0
Tamiyasu Trust dated December
16, 1997                                536,194        536,194             0
Timothy J. Fahringer                      8,219(4)       6,219         2,000
William K. Doyle                          6,219          6,219             0
                                     -----------   -----------    ----------
   Total                              1,983,795      1,855,604       128,191
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   This registration statement also shall cover any additional shares of
      common stock which become issuable in connection with the shares
      registered for sale hereby by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
      recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt
      of consideration which results in an increase in the number of our
      outstanding shares of common stock.

(2)   Assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by this prospectus.

(3)   Represents 1.1% of our outstanding common stock as of May 1, 2002.

(4)   Includes 1,000 shares which Mr. Fahringer can acquire upon the exercise of
      currently exercisable stock options.


                                       12



                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering these shares on behalf of the selling shareholders. As used
in this prospectus, the term "selling shareholders" includes donees and pledgees
selling shares received from a named selling shareholder after the date of this
prospectus. The selling shareholders will offer and sell the shares to which
this prospectus relates for their own account. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of the shares. We will bear all fees and expenses in connection
with the registration of the shares.

The selling shareholders may offer and sell the shares from time to time, at
prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, in one or
more of the following methods: ordinary brokers' transactions, which may include
long sales or short sales effected after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part; transactions involving cross or
block trades or otherwise on The Nasdaq National Market; purchases by brokers,
dealers or underwriters as principals and resale by the purchasers for their own
accounts pursuant to this prospectus; to or through market makers or into an
existing market for the shares; in other ways not involving market makers or
established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales
effected through agents; through transactions in options, swaps or other
derivatives (whether exchange-listed or otherwise); or any combination of the
foregoing, or by any other legally available means. Sales may be made to or
through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholders or the
purchasers of the shares. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of
any agreement, arrangement or understanding between any broker or dealer and the
selling shareholders regarding the sale of their shares, nor are we aware of any
underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale
of shares by the selling shareholders. There is no assurance that the selling
shareholders will sell any or all of the shares that they offer.

The selling shareholders and any brokers or dealers who participate in the sale
of the shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any commissions
received by them and any profits realized by them on the resale of shares may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
Because the selling shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, the selling shareholders will be subject to the
prospectus requirements of the Securities Act. We have informed the selling
shareholders that their sales in the market must comply with the requirements of
the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act.

The selling shareholders may also resell all or a portion of these shares in
open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that Rule.

Upon notification to us by a selling shareholder that any material arrangement
has been entered into with a broker or dealer for the sale of shares through a
block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution
or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be
filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing
(i) the name of the selling shareholder and of the participating brokers or
dealers, (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such
shares were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed
to such brokers or dealers, where applicable, (v) that such brokers or dealers
did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and (vi) other facts material to
the transaction. In addition, upon notification to us by a selling shareholder
that a donee or pledgee intends to sell more than 500 shares, a supplement to
this prospectus will be filed if required.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the shares of common stock offered by this
prospectus will be passed upon for us by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Minneapolis,
Minnesota.


                                     EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Curative Health Services, Inc.
appearing in Curative Health Services, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2001, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       13


The financial statements of eBioCare.com, Inc. for the year ended December 31,
2000, appearing in Curative Health Services, Inc.'s current report on Form 8-K,
filed on April 13, 2001, as amended by a Form 8-K/A, filed on June 12, 2001,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such
report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.

The financial statements of Apex Therapeutic Care, Inc. appearing in Curative's
current report on Form 8-K, filed on March 11, 2002, as amended by a Form 8-K/A,
filed on May 3, 2002, have been audited by Martini, Iosue & Akpovi, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated
herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.


                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-3 with respect to the common stock offered by this
prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration
statement, does not include all of the information contained in the registration
statement. For further information about us and our common stock, you should
review the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules. You may read
and copy any document we file with the Commission at its public reference room
at 450 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about its public reference facilities and
copy charges. Our filings are also available to the public from the Commission's
web site at http://www.sec.gov.

We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are
available for inspection and copying at the Commission's public reference room
and the regional offices listed above and can be obtained over the Internet
through the Commission's web site.

The Commission allows us to incorporate by reference information into this
prospectus. This allows us to disclose important information to you by referring
you to another document filed separately with the Commission. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for
any information superceded by information contained directly in this prospectus.

The documents that we are incorporating by reference are:

o     our current report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2001, as amended by our
      Form 8-K/A filed on June 12, 2001;

o     our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
      filed on April 1, 2002;

o     our current report on Form 8-K, filed on May 20, 2002;

o     our current report on Form 8-K, filed on March 11, 2002, as amended by our
      Form 8-K/A filed on May 3, 2002;

o     our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002
      filed on May 15, 2002; and

o     our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 26, 1991, which
      contains a description of our common stock.

We also are incorporating by reference any future filings made by us with the
SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until
the completion of this offering. The most recent information that we file with
the SEC automatically updates and supercedes more dated information.

                                       14


You can obtain a copy of any documents which are incorporated by reference in
this prospectus (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is
specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost, by writing
or telephoning the Chief Financial Officer, at Curative Health Services, Inc.,
150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York 11788, (631) 232-7000.


                              ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The prospectus relates to 1,855,604 shares
of our common stock, which the selling shareholders named in this prospectus may
sell from time to time. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these
sales. We have agreed to pay the expenses incurred in registering these shares,
including legal and accounting fees.

These shares have not been registered under the securities laws of any state or
other jurisdiction as of the date of this prospectus. Brokers or dealers should
confirm the existence of any exemption from registration or effect a
registration in connection with any offer and sale of these shares.

This  prospectus  describes  certain risk factors that you should  consider
before  purchasing  these shares.  See "Risk  Factors"  beginning on page 2. You
should read this prospectus together with the additional  information  described
under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

                                 ---------------

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to which
we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different. This document may only be used where it is legal
to sell these securities. The information in this document may only be accurate
on the date of this document.


                                       15



                                      II-2
                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following is an itemized statement of the estimated amounts of expenses
payable by the Registrant, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in
connection with the registration of the common stock offered hereby. All amounts
are estimates except the SEC registration fee.


      SEC Registration Fee.....................................  $ 2,223
      Legal Fees and Expenses..................................   10,000
      Accounting Fees and Expenses.............................    5,000
      Miscellaneous............................................    2,777
                                                                 --------
            TOTAL..............................................  $20,000

Item 15.    Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521 provides that a corporation shall indemnify
any person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of
the former or present official capacity of such person against judgments,
penalties, fines (including, without limitation excise taxes assessed against
such person with respect to any employee benefit plan), settlements and
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by
such person in connection with the proceeding, if, with respect to the acts or
omissions of such person complained of in the proceeding, such person (1) has
not been indemnified therefor by another organization or employee benefit plan;
(2) acted in good faith; (3) received no improper personal benefit and Section
302A.255 (with respect to director conflicts of interest), if applicable, has
been satisfied; (4) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) reasonably believed that the
conduct was in the best interests of the corporation in the case of acts or
omissions in such person's official capacity for the corporation or reasonably
believed that the conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation in the case of acts or omissions in such person's official capacity
for other affiliated organizations. The bylaws of the company provide that the
company shall indemnify its officers and directors under such circumstances and
to the extent permitted by Section 302A.521 as now enacted or hereafter amended.

Item 16.    Exhibits

Exhibit
Number .....Description of Exhibit

    5.1 ....      Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP*
    23.1....      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
    23.2....      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
    23.3....      Consent of Martini, Iosue & Akpovi*
    23.4....      Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
    24.1....      Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
--------------------
*     Filed herewith

Item 17.    Undertakings

(a)  Rule 415 Offering.  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to include any
prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof, which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (iii) to include
any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.



     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(b) Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference. The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and therefore is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities, other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c)  Registration Statement Permitted by Rule 430A.  The undersigned registrant
     hereby undertakes that:

     (1) For purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form or
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.

     (2) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.




                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on May 28 , 2002.

                                    CURATIVE HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                    By:  /s/ Joseph Feshbach
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Joseph Feshbach
                                    Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Joseph Feshbach and Thomas Axmacher, and each of
them his attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendment or post-effective amendment to this
Registration on Form S-3 or abbreviated registration statement (including,
without limitation, any additional registration filed pursuant to Rule 462 under
the Securities Act of 1933) with respect thereto and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities listed on May 28, 2002:

        Signature                   Title

By:  /s/ Joseph Feshbach           Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
     ---------------------------   (principal executive officer)
         Joseph Feshbach

By:  /s/ Thomas Axmacher           Senior VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer
     ---------------------------    (principal financial and accounting officer)
         Thomas Axmacher

By:  /s/ Paul S. Auerbach          Director
     ---------------------------
         Paul S. Auerbach

By:  /s/ Daniel E. Berce           Director
     ---------------------------
         Daniel E. Berce

By:  /s/ Lawrence P. English       Director
     ---------------------------
         Lawrence P. English

By:  /s/ John C. Prior             Director
     ---------------------------
         John C. Prior

By:  /s/ Gerard Moufflet           Director
     ---------------------------
         Gerard Moufflet

By:  /s/ Timothy I. Maudlin        Director
     ---------------------------
         Timothy I. Maudlin




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit
Number      Description of Exhibit
----------------------------------
  5.1       Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP*
 23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
 23.2       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
 23.3       Consent of Martini, Iosue & Akpovi*
 23.4       Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 24.1       Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
--------------------
*     Filed herewith



                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                            [LETTERHEAD OF DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP]


                                  May 24, 2002

Curative Health Services, Inc.
150 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, New York 11788

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel to Curative Health Services, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form
S-3, together with any subsequent amendments thereto (the "Registration
Statement"), relating to the sale by the selling shareholders identified in the
Registration Statement of up to 1,855,604 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, $.01 par value per share. The Shares are to be sold from time to
time as set forth in the Registration Statement.

      We have examined such documents, and have reviewed such questions of law,
as we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinion
set forth below. In rendering our opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures
and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto
of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or
instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the
requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and
perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have
been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed
and delivered by such parties and that such agreements or instruments are the
valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of
fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon certificates of officers of
the Company and of public officials.

      Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and are validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

      Our opinion expressed above is limited to the laws of the State of
Minnesota.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" contained in the prospectus included therein.

Dated:  May 24, 2002

                                           Very truly yours,

                                          /s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

TSH




                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-00000) and related Prospectus of
Curative Health Services, Inc. for the registration of 1,855,604 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
March 19, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Curative Health Services, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Melville, New York
May 28, 2002



                                                                    Exhibit 23.2



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-00000) and related Prospectus of
Curative Health Services, Inc. for the registration of 1,855,604 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
May 15, 2001, with respect to the financial statements of eBioCare.com, Inc. for
the year ended December 31, 2000.

                                                /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Palo Alto, California
May 28, 2002




                                                                    Exhibit 23.3




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 File No. 333-00000) and related Prospectus of
Curative Health Services, Inc. for the registration of 1,855,604 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated
November 2, 2000 and November 30, 2001, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Apex Therapeutic Care, Inc. as of and for the years
ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, and September 30, 2001 and 2000,
respectively, appearing in Curative's current report on Form 8-K, filed March
11, 2002, as amended by a Form 8-K/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 3, 2002.

                                           /s/ Martini, Iosue & Akpovi

Encino, California
May 24, 2002