The Alligator Editorial Board
The Independent Florida Alligator
July 21, 2009

Ritalin. Concerta. Vyvanse. Adderall. The Editorial Board is willing to bet that you know at least one person who has been prescribed one of them.

These drugs have been championed by well-known Harvard psychologist Joseph Biederman for decades. As a result, doctors have increasingly prescribed the medicines to those who may or may not need them.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, investigated Biederman’s drug company affiliations. It turns out Biederman worked as a private consultant for some drug companies, earning at least $1.6 million in the past seven years for his “advice,” according to The Boston Globe.

Grassley identified the conflict of interest that arises when the person who sets the precedent for how psychotropic drugs are dispensed is connected to drug companies. Both the companies and Biederman make bank as the drugs are dispersed.

Read entire article:  http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/07/21/opinion/editorials/090721_eddy1.txt