Utah has introduced a pilot program allowing artificial intelligence to refill prescriptions without human oversight, marking a significant step in medical innovation. The initiative, partnered with telehealth startup Doctronic, targets common medications for chronic conditions amid concerns over safety and regulation. Public advocates have labeled the program dangerous due to its potential risks.
The state of Utah is pioneering the use of AI in healthcare through its regulatory sandbox framework, which temporarily waives certain regulations to test innovative services. Launched in partnership with Doctronic, a telehealth company, the program enables the startup's AI chatbot to autonomously renew prescriptions for patients in Utah.
Doctronic's service typically allows users to interact with an AI doctor for free before booking a $39 virtual appointment with a licensed physician, requiring the AI interaction first. In this pilot, after verifying Utah residency, the chatbot accesses a patient's prescription history and offers refills for 190 common medications treating chronic conditions. Exclusions include drugs for pain, ADHD, and injectables. The service charges a $4 fee per refill.
A non-peer-reviewed preprint from Doctronic, based on 500 telehealth cases, indicates the AI's diagnoses aligned with clinicians' in 81% of instances, with treatment plans consistent in 99%. For safety, the first 250 renewals per drug class will undergo review by real doctors; afterward, the AI operates independently. Doctronic co-founder Adam Oskowitz, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized that the system prioritizes caution, escalating uncertain cases to human clinicians.
Utah Department of Commerce executive director Margaret Woolley Busse stated, “Utah’s approach to regulatory mitigation strikes a vital balance between fostering innovation and ensuring consumer safety.”
Critics, however, express alarm. Robert Steinbrook, director of Public Citizen's health research group, warned, “AI should not be autonomously refilling prescriptions, nor identifying itself as an ‘AI doctor.'” He added, “Although the thoughtful application of AI can help to improve aspects of medical care, the Utah pilot program is a dangerous first step toward more autonomous medical practice.” Questions linger over federal involvement, as prescription renewals fall under state authority, but the FDA may regulate AI as a medical device.
This program, reported on January 7, 2026, highlights tensions between technological advancement and patient safety in medicine.
