US investigators have arrested the founder and CEO of a telehealth company who is accused of a running a $100m (£78m) scheme to fraudulently distribute over 40m pills of Adderall and other controlled substances.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland said that Done CEO Ruthia He conspired with the company’s clinical president, David Brody, “to provide easy access to Adderall and other stimulants for no legitimate medical purpose”.
America’s top law officer said the executives had exploited telemedicine rules that were loosened during the Covid pandemic.
Done Global, a San Francisco-based start-up, became popular during the pandemic as an online way to obtain Adderall by paying a monthly subscription fee.
Ms He was arrested in Los Angeles and Dr Brody in San Rafael, California, according to officials.
Telehealth pill mills like this are the reason we have an ADHD medication shortage. We had a TON of people prescribed Adderall over the pandemic and now they’re hooked. This company’s entire business model was about establishing a nationwide customer base of amphetamine addicts to maximize their profits.
It was surprisingly easy to get my dextroamphetamine prescription through a (local) telehealth doctor. Of course, I know I have ADHD because I’m not addicted to the meds and, in fact, keep forgetting to take then.