Monday 9 May 2022 10:41 PM Trendy online mental-health clinic Cerebral faces DoJ subpoena trends now
Telehealth startups that offer Americans quick and easy access to mental health drugs have been on the rise in recent years, but now at least one may soon face legal trouble over allegations it pressured nurses into prescribing drugs.
Cerebral, an emerging telehealth startup that has suffered from its share of controversy in recent months, was subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) on May 4, Insider reports, over allegations the company was misusing prescription drugs like Xanax and Adderall.
The San Francisco-based company has been under fire in recent months over potentially misleading and harmful ads on social media platforms like TikTok - which is primarily used by children and teenagers - and over a report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) alleging it was pressuring nurses to prescribe medication for conditions like ADHD.
It also has notable backers, like Simone Biles, one of the most successful female gymnasts of all time.
On the same day as the subpoena, the company announced it would no longer offer prescription drugs for new telehealth patients.
The Department of Justice has subpoenaed the telehealth provides Cerebral over allegations that it misused drugs like Xanax and Adderall
The San Francisco-based company has been backed by Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles, who famously struggled with her mental health during last year's Tokyo Games. Pictured: Biles (left) with Cerebral founder and CEO Kyle Robertson (right)
'Cerebral intends to fully cooperate with the investigation, which we already have conveyed to the U.S. Attorney's Office,' the company told DailyMail.com in an emailed statement.
It also noted that: 'at this time, no regulatory or law enforcement authority has accused Cerebral of violating any law.'
The DoJ did not immediately reply to a DailyMail.com request for comment.
The company is a part of a budding, yet controversial, new industry in medicine that developed in recent years before rocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telehealth companies that provide patients with quick consultations, and even potentially offer prescriptions written by certified medical professionals, have been appearing across the U.S.
Cerebral's focus is on mental health, but other companies also cover things as far-reaching as male-pattern baldness to neurological treatment. Some online clinics were even consulting Covid patients last year, leading to an uptick of ivermectin prescriptions.
In America, where many young people are uninsured or under-insured and access to a therapist and other psychological help may be hard to find due to long waitlists, these companies became popular.
The company has since stopped offering some drugs to new patients. Those who sign up for its services currently are met with a notice that Adderall and Ritalin - two popular ADHD drugs - are no longer available
The company has grown in recent months as well.
In September, CEO and founder Kyle Robertson announced the Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast who notably struggled
