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======================================================================== Plaintiffs' Attorneys Walk Away from Ritalin Litigation in Florida -- Third Dismissal to Date of Suits Filed against Novartis, Makers of Ritalin (R) (methylphenidate HCl) PRN 23.7.2001 ORLANDO, Fla. - Plaintiffs bringing class action litigation against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, manufacturer of Ritalin (R) (methylphenidate HCl), the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) have notified the court that they are dismissing their case against the defendants. The lawsuit, filed in November 2000, claimed the defendants conspired to promote the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The plaintiffs alerted the court of their intent to dismiss on July 5; their decision follows dismissals by the courts in similar lawsuits filed in California and Texas.

"We are extremely pleased with the plaintiffs' decision," said Novartis General Counsel, Dorothy Watson. "This action supports Novartis' position that this lawsuit and others like it are an unmerited attempt to promote an agenda that contradicts scientific and medical consensus."

On May 18, a Texas judge dismissed a similar class action suit filed in that state. U. S. District Judge Hilda G. Tagle found that the plaintiffs in that class action failed to state their claims of fraud and conspiracy with sufficient particularity. Additionally, she found that the plaintiffs' vague mentions of side effects in their complaint failed to state a legal claim. The plaintiffs had until June 20 to appeal the ruling; however, they did not do so.

The first class action suit of this type was dismissed in California on April 23. U.S. District Judge Rudi Brewster dismissed the suit under California's anti-SLAPP statute -- a statute designed to weed out of the court system at their inception, lawsuits which are in reality political actions designed to intimidate defendants from exercising their First Amendment rights. Judge Brewster dismissed the suit stating that the defendants' speech is "protected under both the United States and California Constitutions" and that plaintiffs "failed to state a cause of action." In addition to dismissing the suit, the court also ordered that the plaintiffs pay the legal fees for Novartis, APA and CHADD. Similar suits have been filed in New Jersey and Puerto Rico. The defendants have filed motions to dismiss those cases and rulings are pending.

Contrary to the position advanced in the lawsuits, ADHD is a real and serious disorder. It is a well-established and valid diagnosis recognized by the leading medical authorities in the U.S. including the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Ritalin has been shown to be an effective and safe medication for more than 45 years and has been scientifically evaluated in more than 200 studies involving over 6,000 school-aged children.

"Ritalin and similar treatments are among the most widely studied therapies available," said Watson. "We're heartened that an overwhelming body of scientific evidence cannot just be litigated away by lawyers and anti- psychiatry advocates."

Ritalin is a mild central nervous system stimulant that helps to address the neurochemical problems underlying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis.

The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of the Novartis Group (NYSE: NVS), a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. In 2000, the Group's ongoing businesses achieved sales of CHF 29.1 billion (USD 17.2 billion) and invested approximately CHF 4.0 billion (USD 2.4 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 67,600 people and operates in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.

Todd Ringler
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
617-761-6791
tringler@fkhealth.com Regina Moran
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
973-781-5567
regina.moran@pharma.novartis.com Cathy Yarbrough
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
973-781-5385
cathy.yarbrough@pharma.novartis.com

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