Utah OKs AI System That Writes Acne Prescriptions Without Doctor Approval

A new healthcare service in Utah is allowing an AI system to autonomously generate acne prescriptions by analyzing photos of a patient's face. Nolla Health announced the pilot program this week, becoming the first company in the U.S. to issue initial prescriptions—rather than medication renewals—through an AI system.

How the System Works#

Users download the Nolla Health app and photograph their face, which the AI evaluates to assess acne severity and determine a suitable treatment. The system can recommend from eight different skin medications. The service costs $4.99 per month and is available only to Utah residents aged 18 and older with mild-to-moderate acne.

If the AI cannot confidently identify an appropriate treatment, it refers the patient to a human physician for evaluation.

Oversight That Evolves Over Time#

The program operates under a phased approach to physician oversight:

• Phase 1 (first 100 patients): Two physicians review and approve each prescription before it is dispensed.
• Phase 2 (up to 500 patients): Prescriptions issue first, then physicians review them afterward.
• Ongoing: Doctors examine at least 10% of prescriptions monthly, plus all cases flagged for side effects or complications.

Nolla Health frames the arrangement as a way for dermatologists to focus on complex cases while the AI handles routine, low-risk patients.

Part of a Broader AI Prescribing Trend#

Utah has emerged as a testing ground for AI-assisted prescription systems. The state approved AI renewals for certain chronic medications earlier this year, and other healthcare companies—including August AI and Doctronics—are running their own pilot programs. Nolla Health's initiative stands out as the first to generate new prescriptions rather than simply renew existing ones.