Utah has taken a significant step in healthcare innovation by approving a pilot program where an AI system can issue an initial medication prescription. This program, developed by Nolla Health, is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S., enabling patients to receive prescriptions without a doctor’s visit.
Focus on Acne Treatment
Launched after collaboration with the Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, the pilot focuses on acne treatment. As of October 5, Utah residents aged 18 or older can use the Nolla Derm app for acne treatment advice and potential prescriptions. This move follows a previous AI-prescribing pilot that faced opposition from local physicians.
Background and Opposition
Earlier this year, the Utah Medical Licensing Board opposed a similar AI prescribing initiative by Doctronic, citing concerns over patient safety. They emphasized the importance of physician oversight in prescription decisions due to potential side effects and medication interactions.
About Nolla Health
Nolla Health uses AI to improve healthcare access. Co-founder and CEO, Luis Wenus, advocates for affordable, personalized treatment for all. Their app, focused on dermatology, has been downloaded over 175,000 times across 44 states.
Why Focus on Acne?
Nolla Health identifies dermatology as suitable for AI intervention due to acne’s commonality and standardized treatment protocols. In Utah, an estimated 100,000 individuals suffer from acne, with only 10% accessing a dermatologist. Patients also encounter wait times averaging 61 days for appointments.
Debate Over AI Prescriptions
Not all agree on allowing AI to prescribe for acne treatments. Medical regulators argue that prescription decisions involve complex factors beyond automated assessments, such as underlying health issues and evolving symptoms. During discussions on the previous pilot, the Utah Medical Licensing Board highlighted the importance of clinical judgment in prescription decisions.
How AI Prescriptions Work
Upon downloading the Nolla Derm app, users verify their identity, consent to treatment, complete a medical questionnaire, and submit facial scans. The AI analyzes this data to suggest a personalized treatment plan within 10 to 15 minutes, possibly issuing a prescription to be filled at a pharmacy or delivered home. The AI operates within a limited, pre-approved treatment list under strict oversight. Initially, two physicians must approve each AI-generated prescription. This oversight will reduce if safety benchmarks, like a 95% physician agreement, are met.
Implications for the Future
The Nolla Health pilot focuses on providing initial prescriptions, a first for AI in the medical field, which previously focused on prescription renewals. This initiative could pave the way for similar programs, provided it meets safety protocols.
Currently, the approval is limited to Utah, adults, and specific acne treatments. As hospitals and tech companies seek solutions for physician shortages and long wait times, AI-assisted prescriptions may become a broader part of U.S. healthcare.
Newsweek continues to explore this story and will update with comments from involved parties as they become available.
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