MEAD JOHNSON TAKING ROSS PEDIATRICS TO COURT
By Adnews Staff
Mead Johnson Canada of Ottawa is seeking an injunction against Ross Pediatrics to stop it from claiming that its Similac Advance infant formula offers the same benefits as breast milk. Mead Johnson says this is false and misleading. "Leading Canadian and U.S. experts in immunology and infant nutrition have reviewed the relevant available research and have concluded that there is no basis for these claims," president Steve Johnson says in a release. A study conducted by Research Management Group of Toronto showed that many mothers believe that using Similac Advance will keep their babies from getting sick, and that the formula gives their babies the same resistance to disease that breast milk does. Mead Johnson hopes the case gets to court within the next week. Ross Pediatrics officials were unavailable to comment about the lawsuit. Similac Advance was launched in Canada just over a month ago. The company says it has benefits associated only with breast milk, especially those related to a baby's immune system. According to studies by Ross, Similac Advance helps strengthen the infant's immune system, decreases diarrhea, is easy-to-digest and supports visual, cognitive and psychomotor development similar to breastfed babies. National print advertising targeting doctors began recently for the product. It was created by Marlowe Advertising of Montreal. Ross is a division of Abbott Laboratories of Montreal.