In US, AI Begins Prescribing Medications for the First Time Without Doctor Examination
With a pilot program launched in Utah, artificial intelligence systems have begun directly prescribing acne treatments to patients for the first time.
Within the scope of a new pilot program launched in the state of Utah in the United States, artificial intelligence technology has started prescribing acne treatments to patients for the first time without the need for a doctor's examination.
Launch and Scope of the Pilot Program
A pilot program has been launched in the US state of Utah with the Nolla Derm application developed by Nolla Health, allowing artificial intelligence to prescribe acne treatments to patients for the first time without requiring a doctor's examination.
Launched on October 5 following months of work conducted with the Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, this application holds the distinction of being the first of its kind within the borders of the US.
Working Mechanism of the Application
Utah residents aged 18 and over who want to benefit from the system download the Nolla Derm application, complete identity verification, provide consent, fill out a health questionnaire, and upload facial photographs from five different angles.
The artificial intelligence analyzes this data within 10 to 15 minutes, prepares a personalized treatment plan, and issues prescriptions for eligible patients; patients can pick up their medications from the pharmacy or have them delivered to their homes.
Limits of the System and Expert Oversight
Stating that the application is not a chatbot providing independent suggestions like ChatGPT, the company explained that the artificial intelligence can only choose among limited acne treatments approved by doctors, while severe cases are referred to physicians.
While it is mandated that prescriptions by the AI for the first 100 patients be independently approved by two licensed physicians, these audits are planned to be reduced if a 95 percent compliance rate is achieved and no adverse events occur.
Problem of Access to Dermatology Services
Nolla Health stated that they chose this area because acne treatment is low-risk and standardized, noting that only 10 percent of more than 100,000 acne patients in Utah consult a dermatologist.
It was reported that patients face waiting times reaching an average of 61 days to get an appointment with a dermatology specialist, and the application has been downloaded by more than 175,000 people in 44 states to date.
Criticism from the Medical World
A previous program launched in January by the firm Doctronic for the renewal of chronic disease prescriptions faced a severe backlash from the medical community, and the Utah Physicians Licensing Board requested the suspension of the program.
Board members argue that prescription decisions cannot be left solely to automated assessments and that the process requires the clinical evaluation of licensed healthcare professionals due to factors such as drug side effects and interactions.