Medical company announces program for 'AI-powered prescriptions' in Utah
A medical company has announced AI-powered prescriptions.
Healthcare firm Nolla Health announced on Monday that it has secured approval for an innovative pilot program in Utah that will allow artificial intelligence to issue initial prescriptions, including acne treatment. The groundbreaking AI-powered prescriptions initiative, which consists of three stages, marks the first of its kind in the United States to receive state regulator approval, following collaboration with the Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy.
The company's Nolla Derm application, available for download by Utah residents aged 18 and above, will offer effective acne treatment at a monthly cost of $4.99 without the need for an office visit. After completing identity verification, informed consent, and an intake questionnaire, patients will undergo a brief five-angle face scan, which generates a personalized treatment plan and, if appropriate, an initial AI-generated prescription within 10-15 minutes.
The three-stage pilot program will involve physician oversight at various points. In the initial stage, two licensed physicians independently review and approve every AI-generated prescription before it is sent to the patient. The second stage, which may include up to 500 patients, will allow Nolla Derm to issue prescriptions directly, with physicians reviewing each case weekly.
In the final stage, a 10% sample of prescriptions each month will be reviewed by a physician, along with any cases involving escalations or side effects.
Throughout the program, patients can communicate with a licensed physician via the app at any time without any additional charges. The company chose acne treatment as the starting point for the technology due to its well-understood nature, low risk, and substantial clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness. The pilot program's stages one and two are expected to last at least four and eight weeks, respectively, with progression to the next stage contingent upon meeting safety targets, including 95% agreement with physicians and zero serious adverse events, along with written approval from the state regulator.
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