The CEO and head doctor of telehealth startup Done Global are charged with fraud for illegally distributing millions of Adderall pills without properly diagnosing ADHD|McLevn|CC BY-SA 2.0

Top executives of an ADHD telehealth company, Done Global Inc., were arrested on charges of healthcare fraud last week. The CEO, Ruthia He, and clinical president, David Brody, are accused of participating in a scheme that allowed easy access to more than 40 million pills of Adderall and other ADHD stimulants.

The DOJ accused the telehealth startup of illegally distributing the stimulant pills without properly confirming ADHD diagnoses and submitting fraud claims for reimbursements. The regulators further claim that the two executives used deceptive advertisements on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook to target customers and made $100 million in revenue.

The charges come as the country is facing an Adderall drug shortage, spurned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

How did Done diagnose patients?
The startup gave prospective patients a one-minute-long assessment to evaluate if they should be treated for ADHD. The company connected patients virtually with clinicians for their diagnoses.

According to federal officials, Done provided limited patient information to providers and instructed them to provide pills even if patients didn’t qualify. The DOJ said the providers were instructed to keep initial patient consultations to under a half-an-hour.

The company also adopted practices like auto-refills and prohibited follow-up visits, contributing to a broader ADHD medication shortage.

The executives exploited telemedicine rules loosened during the pandemic, according to the country’s top law officers.

The CDC steps in
Done’s actions have potentially disrupted treatment for 20,000 to 50,000 adults with ADHD, according to the CDC. The agency said those using the telehealth service could face disruption. It has further warned against taking counterfeit medications.

Those running low on their current prescriptions have been asked to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

The case highlights concerns over telehealth practices and the need for rigorous patient evaluations and follow-up, especially given the high market value and potential misuse of ADHD medications.