Utah Launches Pilot Program for AI-Driven Prescription Refills

AI in Healthcare: A New Era in Utah

The state of Utah has launched a groundbreaking pilot program that allows artificial intelligence (AI) to autonomously prescribe medication refills to patients. This initiative, part of Utah's "regulatory sandbox" framework, is designed to foster innovation while temporarily waiving certain state regulations. The program partners with Doctronic, a telehealth startup whose AI chatbot will handle prescription renewals for common chronic conditions.

Doctronic's service enables patients to interact with an "AI doctor" for free, followed by a $39 virtual appointment with a licensed physician if needed. However, patients must first go through the AI chatbot to secure an appointment. This AI-driven approach claims an 81% diagnostic accuracy compared to human clinicians and a 99% consistency in treatment plans, according to a non-peer-reviewed preprint study by Doctronic.

How AI Prescription Refills Work in Utah

For Utah residents, Doctronic's AI chatbot can refill prescriptions for a $4 service fee. Patients sign in, verify their residency, and the AI accesses their prescription history to offer eligible refills. The chatbot is limited to renewing 190 common medications for chronic conditions, excluding pain medications, ADHD treatments, and injectables. The first 250 renewals for each drug class will be reviewed by human doctors, after which the AI will operate independently.

Adam Oskowitz, co-founder of Doctronic and a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasizes that the AI is designed to prioritize safety. It will escalate uncertain cases to human doctors, ensuring a layer of oversight. However, this reliance on AI has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that autonomous prescription refills pose significant risks.

Criticism and Regulatory Concerns

Public advocates have labeled the program "dangerous," noting the lack of direct human oversight. Robert Steinbrook, health research group director at Public Citizen, criticizes the AI's role in refilling prescriptions and its self-identification as an "AI doctor." He warns that while AI can improve medical care, the Utah pilot program represents a concerning step toward more autonomous medical practices.

The regulatory landscape remains uncertain. While prescription renewals fall under state governance, the FDA has authority over medical devices used for diagnosis and treatment. It is unclear if the FDA will intervene, but Steinbrook argues that federal regulators cannot ignore AI applications that undermine the essential role of human clinicians in prescribing medications.

Despite the criticism, Margaret Woolley Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, defends the program. She claims it strikes a balance between innovation and consumer safety. However, the long-term impact of AI-driven prescription refills on patient care and safety remains to be seen.