Two executives from Done Global, a telehealth company facilitating ADHD medication distribution, were recently arrested, leading to potential disruptions in treatment access for thousands of patients across the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory highlighting concerns about interrupted care and heightened risks of injury and overdose among individuals reliant on prescription stimulants.
The indictment by the US Department of Justice accuses Ruthia He, CEO of Done Global, and David Brody, the company’s clinical president, of orchestrating a $100 million scheme. Allegedly, they fraudulently prescribed over 40 million stimulant pills, targeting “drug seekers” and circumventing legitimate medical protocols, exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to expand their operation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the scheme, emphasizing that exploiting addiction for profit through illicit online drug distribution will be vigorously prosecuted. He and Brody face serious charges carrying a potential maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.
The arrests are notable as they mark the Justice Department’s first criminal drug distribution prosecutions linked to telemedicine services provided by a digital health company. The case underscores broader concerns about telehealth’s regulation and its susceptibility to fraudulent practices.
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, concerns about potential medication shortages and the risks associated with obtaining stimulants from illegitimate sources have been heightened. The CDC advisory urges affected individuals to seek regulated healthcare channels to avoid counterfeit medications prevalent in illegal drug markets, which may contain dangerous substances like fentanyl.
The impact on patients’ ongoing treatment and the broader implications for telehealth regulation remain focal points as legal proceedings unfold.
