Founder and Clinical President of Done Global Sentenced for $90 Million Adderall Distribution Scheme

Ruthia He, the founder and former CEO of digital mental health firm Done Global Inc., has been sentenced to 72 months in prison for orchestrating a $90 million scheme to unlawfully distribute over 37 million Adderall pills. Alongside clinical president David Brody, who received a 24-month sentence, He utilized a subscription-based telehealth platform to prioritize user growth and a billion-dollar valuation over medical necessity and patient safety. This landmark case underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny on the mental health technology sector, particularly regarding the prescription of controlled substances via digital platforms.

The Department of Justice reported that Done Global Inc. used its technology platform and clinical protocols to facilitate the distribution of millions of stimulant pills while defrauding insurers of more than $12 million. Ruthia He directed over $40 million toward social media advertisements designed to deceive individuals into believing they suffered from ADHD, often targeting those with unrelated conditions like anxiety or age-related inattentiveness. The company’s business model relied on a monthly subscription fee that provided frictionless access to prescriptions and automatic refills, a structure specifically designed to inflate the company's valuation to over $1 billion by fueling rapid user growth at the expense of clinical integrity.

Evidence presented during the legal proceedings revealed that the defendants corrupted medical decision-making through a system of carrots and sticks. Clinicians who refused to participate in the conspiracy were terminated, while those who complied could earn up to $60,000 per month for signing prescriptions at a rate of one every 30 seconds. David Brody personally authorized nearly 400,000 stimulant pills for over 6,500 members without ever evaluating them or reviewing their medical records. The platform’s auto-refill feature further minimized patient contact, allowing prescriptions to be authorized based on automated messages, which in some cases led to refills being issued for patients who were in psychiatric holds or had already died.

The sentencing has significant implications for the mental health technology industry, serving as a stern warning from federal agencies including the DEA and CMS. Authorities emphasized that telehealth platforms must adhere to established medical standards and cannot use the convenience of digital health as a cloak for illegal drug distribution or fraud. The investigation highlighted how Done Global ignored warnings from clinicians and families regarding patients suffering from Adderall-induced psychosis and other mental health conditions worsened by stimulants. This case marks a pivotal moment for the sector, signaling that the Department of Justice will aggressively pursue digital health boardrooms that build fraud or unsafe prescribing practices into their growth models.