A federal jury has delivered guilty verdicts against Ruthia He, founder of telehealth startup Done Global, and David Brody, the company's former top medical officer, in a case that prosecutors say reveals troubling weaknesses in online mental health care. The convictions center on allegations that the pair turned Done Global into what amounted to an Adderall vending machine, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The jury found He and Brody guilty on two conspiracy counts and four counts tied to illegal distribution of controlled substances. He, who served as CEO, also faces an additional conviction for obstruction of justice. Both defendants could face decades in prison when they're sentenced in February.
Prosecutors painted a picture of a business model designed around convenience rather than care. According to the Department of Justice, Done Global served more than 100,000 patients through prescribing practices that allegedly put growth and revenue ahead of medical standards. The company reportedly pulled in over $100 million by capitalizing on high demand for ADHD medications.
A Business Built on Speed
During the seven-week trial, prosecutors argued that He created a system where obtaining stimulant prescriptions was remarkably simple. Evidence presented included testimony from clinicians who described feeling pressured to approve prescriptions quickly—sometimes within minutes—without conducting thorough patient evaluations. The focus, several witnesses said, was on speed and volume.
One patient testified she received an Adderall prescription after an appointment that lasted "less than five minutes." Another clinician admitted to issuing prescription renewals without any follow-up visits. Expert witnesses noted that standard ADHD evaluations should typically take at least an hour and include a comprehensive medical history.
The case took on darker dimensions when evidence emerged about a Done patient who died after receiving an Adderall prescription despite having a documented history of opioid addiction. A clinician testified that a prescription-monitoring database showed "no red flags," though medical experts questioned whether proper screening protocols were followed.
Platform Crackdowns and Industry Scrutiny
The verdict caps years of mounting pressure on Done Global. In June 2024, Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) Google (GOOGL) and TikTok banned the company from advertising on their platforms amid a broader federal crackdown on telehealth firms distributing Adderall and other stimulants.
The scrutiny began intensifying following Wall Street Journal reporting between 2022 and 2024 that detailed concerns from Done clinicians about the company's prescribing environment. Those reports described a culture where quick approvals were rewarded and thorough patient assessments took a back seat to efficiency.
The Defense's Argument
Defense attorneys argued that He and Brody were attempting to expand access to mental health services during a nationwide shortage of providers. Done Global has consistently maintained that it operates as a technology platform connecting patients with independent medical professionals, not as a prescribing entity itself.
The company has defended its clinicians, stating that medical providers use their own professional judgment when deciding whether to prescribe controlled medications like Adderall. It's worth noting that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA) is the largest manufacturer of both brand-name and generic Adderall, the most commonly prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The jury, however, sided with prosecutors who argued the evidence showed a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances through practices that fell far short of acceptable medical standards. The case represents one of the most significant legal actions yet against the telehealth industry's handling of controlled substance prescriptions.