CVS Will Stop Filling Controlled-Substance Prescriptions for Cerebral, Done

CVS didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cerebral called CVS’s decision unfortunate, adding that it was “doing everything possible to ensure these patients get access to medications that their healthcare providers have determined they need.”

Some pharmacies had already blocked or delayed certain prescriptions from Cerebral and Done prescribers over concerns that clinicians were writing too many stimulant prescriptions, The Journal reported in April. Cerebral had said prescription delays occurred because of confusion around telehealth policies. Done declined to comment at the time.

Cerebral and Done between them treat tens of thousands of patients for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, prescribing stimulants such as Adderall. Psychiatrists say stimulants can have significant benefits for people properly diagnosed with ADHD. But they are classified as schedule 2 controlled substances by the federal government due to their potential for abuse, the same category as OxyContin and Vicodin.

Cerebral and Done grew very quickly from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, attracting patients with social-media ads that offered an ADHD diagnosis and prescriptions to treat the condition. Previously, clinicians were prohibited from prescribing stimulants without an in-person visit. The U.S. relaxed those rules in March 2020 for all schedule 2 substances due to the coronavirus public health emergency.

Last week, Cerebral said it would stop prescribing almost all controlled substances, and two days later its board voted to replace Chief Executive Kyle Robertson.

The Journal reported in March that current and former employees said they felt Cerebral and Done pressured clinicians to prescribe stimulants, and some of them said the companies’ initial 30-minute video evaluations often weren’t sufficient to properly diagnose ADHD. Cerebral and Done said they don’t pressure clinicians to prescribe stimulants and they are providing an essential service in the U.S., where demand for mental-health treatment far outstrips supply.

Cerebral said its clinicians can schedule an unlimited number of appointments. Done said systems and software help complete its initial consultations within 30 minutes.

Cerebral’s preferred pharmacy, Truepill Inc., said this month it would stop filling prescriptions for schedule 2 controlled substances such as Adderall. Cerebral had said that Truepill’s action affected less than 2% of its total prescriptions.

Write to Rolfe Winkler at [email protected]

CVS didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cerebral called CVS’s decision unfortunate, adding that it was “doing everything possible to ensure these patients get access to medications that their healthcare providers have determined they need.”

Some pharmacies had already blocked or delayed certain prescriptions from Cerebral and Done prescribers over concerns that clinicians were writing too many stimulant prescriptions, The Journal reported in April. Cerebral had said prescription delays occurred because of confusion around telehealth policies. Done declined to comment at the time.

Cerebral and Done between them treat tens of thousands of patients for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, prescribing stimulants such as Adderall. Psychiatrists say stimulants can have significant benefits for people properly diagnosed with ADHD. But they are classified as schedule 2 controlled substances by the federal government due to their potential for abuse, the same category as OxyContin and Vicodin.

Cerebral and Done grew very quickly from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, attracting patients with social-media ads that offered an ADHD diagnosis and prescriptions to treat the condition. Previously, clinicians were prohibited from prescribing stimulants without an in-person visit. The U.S. relaxed those rules in March 2020 for all schedule 2 substances due to the coronavirus public health emergency.

Last week, Cerebral said it would stop prescribing almost all controlled substances, and two days later its board voted to replace Chief Executive Kyle Robertson.

The Journal reported in March that current and former employees said they felt Cerebral and Done pressured clinicians to prescribe stimulants, and some of them said the companies’ initial 30-minute video evaluations often weren’t sufficient to properly diagnose ADHD. Cerebral and Done said they don’t pressure clinicians to prescribe stimulants and they are providing an essential service in the U.S., where demand for mental-health treatment far outstrips supply.

Cerebral said its clinicians can schedule an unlimited number of appointments. Done said systems and software help complete its initial consultations within 30 minutes.

Cerebral’s preferred pharmacy, Truepill Inc., said this month it would stop filling prescriptions for schedule 2 controlled substances such as Adderall. Cerebral had said that Truepill’s action affected less than 2% of its total prescriptions.

Write to Rolfe Winkler at [email protected]