Done Global Inc., is a San Francisco-based[1] telehealth provider specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)[2] and other chronic psychiatric conditions.[3][4][5][6] Through virtual consultations[7] the company connects patients with clinicians who may prescribe medications such as Adderall, Ritalin (methylphenidate), and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine). The company also offers digital therapies and support systems to provide mental health care to its patients.[8][2]
| Done Global | |
| Industry | Telehealth |
| Genre | Healthcare |
| Founder | Ruthia He |
| Headquarters | San Francisco |
Key people | Ruthia He (CEO) David Brody (Clinical President of Done Health P.C.) |
| Website | www.donefirst.com |
The company has since received scrutiny for its practices and has led to the federal criminal prosecution of its Founder and CEO, and Clinical President.[9][10][11][1]
History
editDone Global Inc. was founded in 2019 by Ruthia He, a former Facebook product designer with no medical background.[4] The company capitalized on regulatory changes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,[12][13] when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) relaxed rules requiring in-person consultations for prescribing controlled substances. This allowed Done to offer online access to ADHD medications, including Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse.[14][15][2][8]
In 2021, Done’s head of operations, T.J. Williams, raised concerns about fraudulent patient behavior, citing falsified identities and manipulated documentation. He proposed tools to address these issues but was dismissed three months later.[14] Around the same time, Done implemented policies to expedite prescription renewals, paying clinicians for processing refills rather than conducting follow-up consultations. Clinicians managed large patient loads, with some approving renewals in under a minute and earning significant monthly incomes of approximately $20,000.[14][4]
He temporarily relocated to China in 2021, managing Done remotely while expanding operations in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.[14] The Chinese Done team took over critical functions, including recruitment, advertising, and clinical policies.[14] In early 2022, a Justice Department investigation into Done’s prescribing practices began, and major pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walmart, stopped filling Done prescriptions. The China team subsequently assisted in recruiting alternative pharmacy partners.[14][12]
Later in 2022, Done faced scrutiny over its advertising practices, which included claims of quick ADHD assessments and medication access.[14] Despite certification issues, the company continued spending tens of millions of dollars ads on platforms like Google, TikTok, and Meta.[14][5]
In February 2023, federal investigators intercepted He in San Francisco as she prepared to travel to Hong Kong. Following a June arrest, financial records showed accelerated money transfers, including $500,000 sent to a Hong Kong entity and $1 million allocated to her legal defense.[14]
In 2024, the Justice Department charged Ruthia He and David Brody,[14][11][9] along with executive Riley Levy, doctor Christopher Luccese, and nurse practitioners Yina Cruz, Katrina Pratcher, and Erin Kim.[16] Advertising platforms, Google and Tik-Tok, banned Done’s ads by mid-2024.[17]
Services
editDone Global provides ADHD treatment through 30-minute video evaluations.[2][4] Alongside online consultations, the company integrates digital therapies and support systems to deliver comprehensive mental health services. It collaborates with a network of pharmacies to streamline medication management and ensure timely access to prescribed treatments.[15] This telehealth model gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly expanded the use of remote healthcare services.[8][2][15]
Controvercy
editIn 2022, Federal authorities, led by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), investigated Done Global Inc. for prescribing controlled substances like Adderall during the COVID-19 pandemic, when relaxed regulations allowed online prescriptions without in-person consultations. Done faced allegations that clinicians were pressured to diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulants, highlighted by a 2021 internal report.[3][10]
Following a two-year investigation, the Justice Department charged Ruthia He, CEO of Done Global Inc., and David Brody, Clinical President of Done Health P.C., with distributing controlled substances via telemedicine, healthcare fraud, and obstruction of justice in June 2024.[9][11][14]
He and Brody allegedly exploited telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to unlawfully prescribe over 40 million Adderall pills,[13] generating more than $100 million in revenue.[10][11] The charge alleges that the subscription-based platform targeted drug seekers, discouraged proper medical care, and defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.[18] Despite reports of overdoses linked to Done’s practices, operations continued. These are the first recorded federal criminal prosecutions for drug distribution involving a telemedicine platform.[1][9][11] If convicted, the He and Brody face up to 20 years in prison.[9][10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b c Fry, Hannah (2024-06-14). "California telehealth execs charged in ADHD prescription scheme amid nationwide med shortage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e "DOJ Investigation into Done Global Inc.: Telemedicine Adderall Provider Under Scrutiny". CCG Healthcare Compliance. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b Winkler, Rolfe (2022-09-16). "DEA Investigating ADHD Telehealth Provider Done". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c d Winkler, Rolfe (2022-08-19). "Harlan Band's Descent Started With an Easy Online Adderall Prescription". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b Winkler, Rolfe (2024-06-13). "Executives From ADHD Startup Arrested, Charged With Fraud". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/well/live/adderall-telehealth-fraud-cdc-risks.html
- ^ "CDC warns access to ADHD meds may be disrupted after arrests of health-care startup executives". ABC7 New York. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c Saraceno, Nicholas (2024-05-10). "Done Global Elevates Pharmacy Network to Help Address ADHD Medication Shortages". PharmaCommerce. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Office of Public Affairs | Founder/CEO and Clinical President of Digital Health Company Arrested for $100M Adderall Distribution and Health Care Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c d Lesaca, Timothy (2024-07-10). "The Rise And Fall of Done Global". Bulletin of the Allegheny County Medical Society.
- ^ a b c d e f Sherry, Ben (2024-06-14). "Founder of ADHD Startup Done Global Arrested for Fraud". inc.com. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b Fleck, Carole (2024-06-25). "Done ADHD Investigation Sparks Worry of Inadequate Care". ADDitude. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b "Telehealth Startup Executives Charged With Fraud". Addiction Center. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Winkler, Rolfe (2024-09-26). "A U.S. Crackdown Targeted an Adderall 'Pill Mill.' Secretly, It Had Already Moved to China". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b c Larson, Chris (2022-09-16). "DEA Reportedly Investigating Virtual ADHD Startup Done Global". Behavioral Health Business. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "Adderall fraud: New charges as feds expand probe into SF startup". The San Francisco Standard. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ Pennic, Fred (2024-06-27). "Google and TikTok Ban Done Global Ads Amid Telehealth Adderall Controversy". hitconsultant.net. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ Milgram, Anne (2024-06-14). "Statement from DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on Done Global Inc". www.dea.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-02.