Utah launches nation’s first AI platform for prescription renewals

A new AI medical platform can now renew prescriptions for chronic conditions in the state of Utah, the first program of its kind in the nation.

The state is partnering with Doctronic, an AI health platform, that will “legally participate in medical decision-making for prescription renewals,” according to a Utah Department of Commerce press release.

“This is a major milestone to demonstrate how AI can improve access to care and health outcomes,” Co-CEO of Doctronic Matt Pavelle said in the release. “This partnership with Utah enables patients, pharmacists, and physicians to work together more efficiently, with measurable results that benefit the entire healthcare system. We hope other states follow Utah’s lead.” 

Prescription renewals total approximately 80% of all medications, and Doctronic will reduce delays and further aid people with chronic conditions, according to the release. 

Some medical professionals, however, are concerned with the lack of physician input and human interaction.  

“While AI has limitless opportunity to transform medicine for the better, without physician input it also poses serious risks to patients and physicians alike,” American Medical Association CEO and executive vice president Dr. John Whyte told Politico. 

Doctronic’s co-founder Dr. Adam Oskowitz told The Hill numerous “guardrails” will moderate the AI’s prescribed dosage amounts, including human physicians who will review prescriptions. The pilot platform also will track safety, refill timeliness, patient satisfaction, costs and efficiency and will publicly report these findings for state and federal AI policies, according to the announcement.  

Doctronic found its AI’s treatment plan matched that of physicians 99.2% of the time across 500 urgent care cases. Additionally, Oskowitz told Politico the system will immediately escalate any uncertain cases for human review.  

“In medicine, there’s always going to be potential issues that patients have,” Oskowitz told Politico. “Whether it’s caused by the AI or not – we will take the risk. I think this is going to be infinitely safer than a human doctor.” 

While Utah leads the nation as the first state to implement AI medication prescription, Oskowitz told The Hill he expects a dozen states to follow in 2026, including Arizona, Missouri and Texas. 

“The effort aims to demonstrate that safe, well-regulated AI can improve adherence, prevent avoidable hospital visits, and reduce healthcare spending, while keeping clinicians at the center of care,” the press release stated.