Disrupted access to prescription stimulants for patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase risks of injury or overdose, the CDC warned
on Thursday following the indictment of executives of an online ADHD medication prescriber over fraud allegations.
Several ADHD stimulants such as immediate-release amphetamine (Adderall) are already in shortage, and the new federal healthcare fraud indictment may further disrupt care for as many as 50,000 patients with ADHD, the CDC detailed.
Ruthia He, the founder and CEO of California-based digital health platform Done Global, and David Brody, MD, the clinical president of Done Health, were arrested Thursday for their alleged involvement in a $100 million Adderall distribution and healthcare fraud scheme. According to court documents, the two allegedly conspired to provide access to ADHD stimulants in exchange for payment of a monthly subscription fee.
"As alleged in the indictment, the defendants provided easy access to Adderall and other stimulants by exploiting telemedicine and spending millions on deceptive advertisements on social media. They generated over $100 million in revenue by arranging for the prescription of over 40 million pills," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, in a statement.
As a result, patients who rely on prescription stimulant medications to treat their ADHD through the telehealth company may struggle to get their scripts filled and may need to find a new healthcare provider, the CDC said in its Health Alert Network Health Advisory.
A disruption involving a telehealth company of this size may impact as many as 30,000 to 50,000 patients across all 50 U.S. states, the CDC added. However, the full impact of the indictment on the telehealth company's patients is currently unknown.
While patients may be tempted to seek medication outside of the regulated healthcare system, doing so may lead to a slew of risks. For example, counterfeit ADHD medications may contain other substances, including fentanyl, the CDC warned.
A recent Drug Enforcement Administration report found that seven of every 10 pills seized from the illegal drug market contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.
"Given the national drug overdose crisis and threats associated with the illegal drug market, individuals struggling to access prescription stimulant medications are urged to avoid using medication obtained from anyone other than a licensed clinician and licensed pharmacy," the CDC urged.
Counterfeit ADHD medication isn't the only potential source of harm for these patients: untreated ADHD is also associated with adverse outcomes, including social and emotional impairment, increased risk of drug or alcohol use disorder, unintentional injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, and suicide.
The CDC advised healthcare providers to assist affected patients seeking treatment for ADHD via mental health support and information about counterfeit and illegal substance risks.
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