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.

  • The Snark Urge
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    456 months ago

    During a time when people with ADHD are experiencing shortages, this seems exceptionally bad

    • @the_toast_is_gone@lemmy.world
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      326 months ago

      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.

      • @grysbok@lemmy.sdf.org
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        116 months ago

        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.

    • FartsWithAnAccent
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      116 months ago

      I gave up, it’s a pain in the ass to keep up the prescription anyways because it’s a cOnTrOlLeD sUbStAnCe.

  • @555@lemmy.world
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    316 months ago

    I know an older lady who uses these as uppers. I tell her she’s a drug addict, but she disagrees. She just needs energy. I say caffeine. She says it doesn’t work. I say, that’s because you’ve spent the last 30 years abusing prescription medication.

    • Plenty of people are addicted to caffeine too. Maybe we should stop with all the drug addict discourse altogether, because it’s dumb and counter productive and doesn’t get people the help they really need. Lots of people can use drugs responsibly and lots of people can spiral into harmful lifestyle situations without ever touching pills or powders.

  • @SquishyPandaDev
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    126 months ago

    And know the government is going to make it so that nobody can get their meds. Thanks assholes

  • @gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    65 months ago

    Oh, so I could have just used these assholes and not the Dr who said I had to see them in person before we could continue and then never let me schedule an in person meeting?

    Or instead of the Dr who was 45 minutes late every time and made me fight for my refund after I walked?

    Or instead of the guy who said he couldn’t see me on zoom because HE NEVER JOINED THE FUCKING CALL?