Class Action Glucosamine Chondroitin Lawsuit Alleges Supplements Are Useless

A new class action glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit alleges that Reckitt Benckiser’s joint health supplements are not as effective as marketed.

Plaintiff Maureen Carrigan claims that Reckitt Benckiser’s “Schiff Move Free Advanced” joint health supplements are not actually as effective as the company advertises.

The glucosamine and chondroitin based supplements are reportedly marketed to provide “mobility, comfort, strength, flexibility [and] lubrication.” However, Carrigan argues that this is untrue.

Carrigan says she purchased the joint health supplements hoping that it would provide her with the joint benefits advertised by the manufacturer. However, she reports she did not experience any improvement.

Carrigan claims in her glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit that her experience was not unique, and that the inefficacy of the Move Free supplements is supported by clinical trials.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Studies

Glucosamine and chondroitin have been tested extensively in clinical trials to see if they have any real effect on joint health including pain, range of motion, and flexibility. Unfortunately, studies have shown that these ingredients, both alone and together, do not provide any significant benefits.

The GAIT studies, which were independently conducted and funded by the National Institutes of Health, are among the studies which call the efficacy of these ingredients into question. In 2006, results of the GAIT studies were published and concluded that “[t]he analysis of the primary outcome measure did not show that either [glucosamine or chondroitin], alone or in combination, was efficacious.”

In 2008, further results from another GAIT study were published. This study examined 572 individuals and found that the use of glucosamine and chondroitin did not show any difference in loss of joint space width, a precursor of arthritis.

“In other words, glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or in combination do not work and do not impact joint space width loss or otherwise help maintain or rebuild cartilage,” the class action glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit claims. Carrigan argues these findings are counter to Schiff Move Free marketing promises.

In her class action glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit, Carrigan claims that Reckitt Benckiser LLC knew or should have known that their supplements were not effective based on the wide variety of scientific evidence. However, the company allegedly continued to promote their supplements as beneficial in order to boost their profits.

“Despite clinical studies demonstrating the Move Free Advanced Products’ ineffectiveness, Defendant conveyed and continues to convey one uniform joint health message: that the Move Free Advanced Products are joint health supplements capable of supporting and benefiting joint health,” the class action glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit claims.

Carrigan argues that this behavior constitutes unfair and deceptive acts and aims to hold Move Free manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser accountable under the Illinois Deceptive Practices and Consumer Fraud Act.

Consumer Fraud

This is not the first time supplements have come under fire for false advertising. Protein powders and other dietary supplements have been the subject of many a lawsuit.

Carrigan seeks to represent a multi-state Class of consumers from Illinois and states with other similar laws who purchased any of the Move Free Advanced Products since May 28, 2015. She also seeks to represent a Class of the same consumers exclusively from Illinois.

The class action glucosamine chondroitin lawsuit seeks restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Class Action Glucosamine Chondroitin Lawsuit is Carrigan v. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, Case No. 1:18-cv-07073, filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Join a Free Glucosamine Chondroitin Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased a glucosamine or chondroitin product after seeing the joint health claims made about the product’s effectiveness, you may qualify to file or join a false advertising class action lawsuit.

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