A class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of Ritalin for planning, conspiring and colluding to create, develop and promote the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to increase the potential market and sales of Ritalin^®. The case has been filed against Ritalin’s manufacturers, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, USA, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the American Psychiatric Association.

The allegations stem from several actions by Ciba/Novartis to promote and dramatically increase sales of Ritalin. This includes promoting the concept that a significant number of children suffer from a “disease” which requires narcotic therapy; promoting Ritalin as the “drug of choice” among children with ADD/ADHD; offering financial support to CHADD — in exchange for supporting Ritalin use in treating ADD/ADHD — and for distributing misleading sales and promotional literature to parents, school officials and others to increase the diagnosis of these disorders to increase sales.

Ciba has also violated the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1019 U.N.T. S. 175 (1971) for its financial support to CHADD — $748,000 between 1991-1994 alone. This contribution was made as an effort to increase advertising and promoting the drug.

During this time, CHADD made deliberate attempts to increase sales of Ritalin, to increase the supply of methylphenidate (generic form of Ritalin) available in the U.S. and to reduce restrictions on Ritalin and methylphenidate use in the U.S.

CHADD’s support has led to a significant increase in the amount of Ritalin that’s given to school children and Ciba has made significant profit from CHADD’s support.

SOURCE: Law firm of Waters & Kraus; http://www.ritalinfraud.com.