Member Name: Malken
Date: September 25, 2000
Email Address: pixiepuss@hotmail.com
Sect:Andalusian
Other News
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis is denying allegations that the company conspired with the American Psychiatric Association to create the disease known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in order to fuel the market for its drug Ritalin.
The charges against the Swiss drugmaker were leveled in class action lawsuits filed in California and New Jersey on Wednesday.
A Novartis spokesman, who had not seen the lawsuits, told Reuters that he could not respond directly, but he dismissed the allegation that Novartis conspired with the psychiatric association to invent the disorder.
``This disease is described even earlier. It was described by psychiatric societies. It was described in a lot of the best medical journals and we are not the only ones on the market,'' the spokesman said.
Methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Ritalin, is also available in generic form through Celltech Group Plc's Medeva unit. Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc has a rival product to treat ADHD called Adderall.
Shares of all three companies were down in Thursday trading. Celltech moved 1-5/16 lower to 36-15/16 and Novartis AG edged 3/8 lower to 36-3/4 on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites). Shire slipped 13/16 to 53-1/4 on NASDAQ.
In related action, the chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee on Thursday asked for a government probe of Ritalin abuse in the nation's schools. Rep. Henry J. Hyde also expressed support for legislation requiring states to certify that they have guidelines in place for ensuring against prescription drug abuse on school premises.
In a letter to US Comptroller General David Walker, Reps. Hyde and Bill McCollum (R-FL) ask the General Accounting Office to investigate the prevalence of psychostimulant abuse in the elementary and secondary schools. They proposed that the investigation look at the theft and sale of such medications and identify ``systematic factors'' contributing to the abuse, such as inadequate state laws.
ADHD diagnoses have swelled in recent years, fueling a heated debate over the controversial use of stimulants such as Ritalin. In 1996, 10% to 12% of all American school-age boys were prescribed Ritalin, according to Hyde.
``We manufacture Ritalin for use in the treatment of ADHD and we want it to be used appropriately,'' Gina Moran, a Novartis spokeswoman, told Reuters Health. ``So if there are issues with appropriate use, we welcome whatever investigations are undertaken to solve those problems,'' she said.
Commentary by Malken
Is The Mental Health Community Out to Get Us?
Maybe so. The fact that numerous children meet the symptomatic criteria for this "Disease" could both be used to prove it's existence or prove that there really is something foul going on. Hyperactivity, impulsiveness, poor school performance... How many kids fit those guidelines. I know I did. I still do.
I was diagnosed with ADHD in 1998 and was subsequently treated with Adderoll. I did not notice an improvement in academic ability (or should I say willingness to be led...)or in my attention span. In fact my ability to concentrate seemed to get worse. I had more difficulties at school than ever before. True I was more docile, but perhaps this is because I was drugged with a controlled substance.
What really worries me about this is that it may mean that an unnecessary medication is being distributed to minors possibly interfering with phsical and emotional growth and developement in unforseen ways. Parents may be exploited in their eagerness to do what's right for their children.
Links
Lawsuits allege Ritalin conspiracy; Congressman orders probe
Submitted by Malken
By Karen Pallarito
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