June 14, 2024 – The means of finding stimulants to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has turn into even harder for tens of hundreds of people that depend on these drugs.
On Thursday, two individuals who operated California-based telemedicine company Done Global were arrested on charges of participating in a $100 million fraud that disbursed the stimulants to people with none medical purpose, the Justice Department said. allegedly.
This step prompted the CDC to issue a nationwide warning to medical and public medical experts. The CDC warned that the move could cause people to show to the illegal drug market and take counterfeit pills that would contain dangerous substances like fentanyl. The CDC notice said that between 30,000 and 50,000 adults in all 50 states may very well be affected by a supply disruption because of the lawsuit against Done Global.
Stimulant drugs like Adderall have been on a nationwide shortage list since 2022. This sometimes meant people needed to drive for hours to search out the drugs in stock at pharmacies.
Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it carries a high risk for abuse or dependence. During the pandemic, federal prescribing rules for controlled substances became more flexible, allowing the drugs to be prescribed via telemedicine.
“The defendants allegedly exploited Americans and put profits ahead of patients by taking advantage of telehealth rules that facilitated access to medications during the unprecedented COVID-19 health emergency. Instead of adequately addressing medical needs, the defendants allegedly made millions of dollars by selling addictive drugs. In many cases, Done Global prescribed ADHD medications when they were not medically necessary,” said Anne Milgram, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in a opinion on Friday. The statement describes Done Global as “an online telemedicine website that prescribes Adderall and other highly addictive drugs to patients who have purchased a monthly subscription.”
The company offered a monthly membership for $79 monthly, and its website states that “ADHD medications are only given for 30 days at a time.”
ADHD affects about 4% of adults and an estimated 10% of kids. Symptoms may include difficulty completing tasks or following directions, often because of distractibility, but may additionally include fidgeting, talking so much, or acting impulsively. ADHD medication prescriptions rose through the pandemic, especially amongst young adults and girls.
“Any diversion of Adderall and other prescription stimulants to individuals who do not medically need these medications only exacerbates this shortage and harms every American who medically needs these medications,” Milgram said. “The DEA will continue to hold accountable anyone who uses telehealth platforms to put profits ahead of patient safety, including corporate executives.”
The CDC urged medical personnel to observe for overdose symptoms and likewise for individuals with untreated ADHD. People with untreated ADHD are at increased risk of social and emotional problems, drug or alcohol abuse, suicide, and unintentional injuries comparable to those in automobile accidents, the CDC warned.
The DEA advised individuals involved in Done Global's alleged illegal activities to report such activities by calling the DEA hotline at 646-466-5159.