Was adhd manufactured to sell ritalin?

Two lawsuits have been filed, in California and New Jersey, asserting that Novartis, the makers of Ritalin, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) conspired to create a market for the compound. These follow a class action lawsuit launched in Texas last May by the Dallas law firm Waters and Kraus, which alleged:

"Ciba/Novartis planned, conspired and colluded to create, develop and promote the diagnoses of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a highly successful effort to increase the market for its product Ritalin."Furthermore: "The American Psychiatric Association (APA) conspired, colluded and cooperated with the other Defendants while taking financial contributions from Ciba as well as other members of the pharmaceutical industry. . ."

Mr Richard Scruggs, one of the lawyers in the class actions, said that the defendants "manufactured a disease. It has been grossly overprescribed. It is a huge risk" (BMJ, 2000; 321: 723).

The APA issued a statement in July saying: "Allegations that the (APA) conspired with others to create the diagnoses of [ADD and ADHD] as part of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual so that medication could be used to treat these disorders are ludicrous and totally false. The APA will defend itself vigorously by presenting a mountain of scientific evidence to refute these meritless allegations, and we are confident that we will prevail."

The US support group CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder), which strongly advocates the use of Ritalin and is partially funded by drug firms, is also cited in the class action. For further details, see www.ritalinfraud.com.