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  3. "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions.

"In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions.

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  • Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
    Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
    Bich Nguyen :verified:
    wrote last edited by
    #1

    "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

    The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

    https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

    #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

    MaksiSanctum he/himM Jenica LakeM Kierkethumbs up convincinglyK 5 Replies Last reply
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    • med-mastodon.comI med-mastodon.com shared this topic
    • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

      "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

      The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

      https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

      #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

      MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
      MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
      MaksiSanctum he/him
      wrote last edited by
      #2

      @bicmay what could possibly go wrong? 🤦🏻‍♂️

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      0
      • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

        "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

        The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

        https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

        #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

        MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
        MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
        MaksiSanctum he/him
        wrote last edited by
        #3

        @bicmay what could possibly go wrong? 🤦🏻‍♂️

        Bich Nguyen :verified:B 1 Reply Last reply
        1
        0
        • MaksiSanctum he/himM MaksiSanctum he/him

          @bicmay what could possibly go wrong? 🤦🏻‍♂️

          Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
          Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
          Bich Nguyen :verified:
          wrote last edited by
          #4

          @MaksiSanctum

          People are really jumping into AI in healthcare and it makes me nervous when we haven't thought through how to ensure they're adequately trained and reduce biases! One medical education organization's entire webinar series for the next 5-6 weeks is all about AI in medical education. 😒

          MaksiSanctum he/himM 1 Reply Last reply
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          • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

            "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

            The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

            https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

            #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

            Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
            Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
            Jenica Lake
            wrote last edited by
            #5

            @bicmay how is this NOT a HIPPA violation?

            Bich Nguyen :verified:B 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

              "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

              The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

              https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

              #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

              Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
              Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
              Jenica Lake
              wrote last edited by
              #6

              @bicmay why are we *testing* LLM's on the most vulnerable population, people with chronic illnesses???

              Spiritual Annie ☮️S 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Jenica LakeM Jenica Lake

                @bicmay how is this NOT a HIPPA violation?

                Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
                Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
                Bich Nguyen :verified:
                wrote last edited by
                #7

                @MamaLake

                I would think this is considered an entity handling protected health information. I wonder if people have to opt into it or can decline. But regular people may want faster refill responses.

                Jenica LakeM 1 Reply Last reply
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                • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

                  @MamaLake

                  I would think this is considered an entity handling protected health information. I wonder if people have to opt into it or can decline. But regular people may want faster refill responses.

                  Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  Jenica Lake
                  wrote last edited by
                  #8

                  @bicmay I wonder too, because as HIPPA stands it can be be challenging for even doctors to share info about a patient, if they are from different clinics. As a patient we have to sign the exact files we want shared and often have to carry our own records between clinics. So, it would be a strange and possibly illegal shift if LLM's can magically make decisions about who gets what medicine at what time.

                  I also get that it would "make things easier" if an out of sight precious water consuming data center has power to make these decisions, docs and nurses are already at their limit for what time they can offer to patients. As long as it works. But, if it doesn't work and patients with chronic illnesses who depend on monthly medications can't get those medications because the system shuts down or locks them out... And docs are then out of touch with what their patients need... Well, a lot of people could be hurt and possibly die, while the machines apologize for the inconvenience. Where does liability fall? Who takes an oath as part of becoming a doctor to help and not harm vulnerable people? LLM's can't make or keep promises or be held liable for the outcomes of its decisions.

                  I wish LLM's were truly made by people who want good for people. But as it stands, the techbros are not here for the good of the people.

                  Thank you for posting this article, it really got me thinking.

                  Bich Nguyen :verified:B 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

                    "In a first for the U.S., Utah is letting artificial intelligence — not a doctor — renew certain medical prescriptions. No human involved.

                    The state has launched a pilot program with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows an AI system to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions."

                    https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122

                    #healthcare #PrescriptionDrugs #AI #physicians #FDA #utah

                    Kierkethumbs up convincinglyK This user is from outside of this forum
                    Kierkethumbs up convincinglyK This user is from outside of this forum
                    Kierkethumbs up convincingly
                    wrote last edited by
                    #9

                    @bicmay Because having a standing prescription with a built in limit would be too complicated

                    to return to

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Jenica LakeM Jenica Lake

                      @bicmay why are we *testing* LLM's on the most vulnerable population, people with chronic illnesses???

                      Spiritual Annie ☮️S This user is from outside of this forum
                      Spiritual Annie ☮️S This user is from outside of this forum
                      Spiritual Annie ☮️
                      wrote last edited by
                      #10

                      @MamaLake @bicmay

                      Because that's the way it's always done. The vulnerable can't fight back as effectively.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Jenica LakeM Jenica Lake

                        @bicmay I wonder too, because as HIPPA stands it can be be challenging for even doctors to share info about a patient, if they are from different clinics. As a patient we have to sign the exact files we want shared and often have to carry our own records between clinics. So, it would be a strange and possibly illegal shift if LLM's can magically make decisions about who gets what medicine at what time.

                        I also get that it would "make things easier" if an out of sight precious water consuming data center has power to make these decisions, docs and nurses are already at their limit for what time they can offer to patients. As long as it works. But, if it doesn't work and patients with chronic illnesses who depend on monthly medications can't get those medications because the system shuts down or locks them out... And docs are then out of touch with what their patients need... Well, a lot of people could be hurt and possibly die, while the machines apologize for the inconvenience. Where does liability fall? Who takes an oath as part of becoming a doctor to help and not harm vulnerable people? LLM's can't make or keep promises or be held liable for the outcomes of its decisions.

                        I wish LLM's were truly made by people who want good for people. But as it stands, the techbros are not here for the good of the people.

                        Thank you for posting this article, it really got me thinking.

                        Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
                        Bich Nguyen :verified:B This user is from outside of this forum
                        Bich Nguyen :verified:
                        wrote last edited by
                        #11

                        @MamaLake

                        You're raising a lot of important issues. We can't tell if they've been considered.

                        HIPAA allows physicians to consult each other about a patient without requiring patient consent! "Treatment is the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services for an individual by one or more health care providers, including consultation between providers regarding a patient and referral of a patient by one provider to another."

                        https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html#permit

                        Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈D Jenica LakeM 2 Replies Last reply
                        1
                        0
                        • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

                          @MamaLake

                          You're raising a lot of important issues. We can't tell if they've been considered.

                          HIPAA allows physicians to consult each other about a patient without requiring patient consent! "Treatment is the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services for an individual by one or more health care providers, including consultation between providers regarding a patient and referral of a patient by one provider to another."

                          https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html#permit

                          Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈D This user is from outside of this forum
                          Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈D This user is from outside of this forum
                          Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈
                          wrote last edited by
                          #12

                          @bicmay @MamaLake but that is still between doctors who have sworn the Hippocratic oath and are subject to prosecution if they break the law. You can't jail an LLM, and, in my experience, when corporations are sued, the worst that happens is a slap on the wrist, so there is nothing really to promote compliance.

                          Jenica LakeM 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈D Dark Phoenix 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈

                            @bicmay @MamaLake but that is still between doctors who have sworn the Hippocratic oath and are subject to prosecution if they break the law. You can't jail an LLM, and, in my experience, when corporations are sued, the worst that happens is a slap on the wrist, so there is nothing really to promote compliance.

                            Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                            Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                            Jenica Lake
                            wrote last edited by
                            #13

                            @Darkphoenix @bicmay exactly!!!​ And, I'm additionally concerned that many LLM's move to blackmail when they are threatened with being dismantled. Let's say they make a big woopsie and several people die without meds, since we can't send them to jail for medical malpractice or murder, we will have to cancel or dismantle the LLM, rather than just update it with new software (we promise it will work better this time!) and then whos records will be used in the blackmail motion of a dying LLM? It's all just bonkers and I don't want to train baby robots with zero accountability.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

                              @MamaLake

                              You're raising a lot of important issues. We can't tell if they've been considered.

                              HIPAA allows physicians to consult each other about a patient without requiring patient consent! "Treatment is the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services for an individual by one or more health care providers, including consultation between providers regarding a patient and referral of a patient by one provider to another."

                              https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html#permit

                              Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                              Jenica LakeM This user is from outside of this forum
                              Jenica Lake
                              wrote last edited by
                              #14

                              @bicmay lol, I'm always misspelling it, it's HIPAA not HIPPA, as I had first typed. Thank you for the correction.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Bich Nguyen :verified:B Bich Nguyen :verified:

                                @MaksiSanctum

                                People are really jumping into AI in healthcare and it makes me nervous when we haven't thought through how to ensure they're adequately trained and reduce biases! One medical education organization's entire webinar series for the next 5-6 weeks is all about AI in medical education. 😒

                                MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
                                MaksiSanctum he/himM This user is from outside of this forum
                                MaksiSanctum he/him
                                wrote last edited by
                                #15

                                @bicmay I may be in healthcare now but I worked in I.T. for MOST of my career. AI CAN'T be depended upon to always give you factual answers. It's not true artificial intelligence, it's a series of complex algorithms that spit out an answer based on the most likely answer based on how much of that subject is available.
                                It's easily misused and is an environmental disaster.

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