Circuit Court Reverses Dismissal of Fraud Claims against Drug Company, Affirms Dismissal of Co-Defendants

SAN FRANCISCO - The Ninth Circuit recently reversed and remanded a trial court's decision to dismiss fraud claims against the manufacturer of Ritalin, but upheld its decision to dismiss two mental health organizations that allegedly colluded with the company to increase sales of the drug. Todd D. Vess, a minor; Deborah Vess, his Guardian ad Litem, Indvidually, on behalf of those similarly situated, an on behalf of the General Public of the State of California, Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. Ciba-Geigy Corp., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD); American Psychiatric Association (APA), Defendants-Appellees, No. 01-55834 (9th …