OPINION
Refilling medicine requires knowing your patient; it requires both judgement and caution. Is the blood pressure controlled nicely? Are they actually taking as directed? Could there be a cheaper way, use a higher dose you can cut in half? Do the meds agree with the patient? Are they given twice a day or less, since who can remember to take four doses a day? Can they afford them? Do they need recurring lab work? Do they secretly hate them but are afraid“ they might upset the doctor” by saying so? Prescribing medicine for lifelong conditions is an art, not just a duty.
Doctronic’ s site notes they will refill prescriptions for birth control pills, but not for controlled substances. Only in Utah are the robot-authorized refills for prescriptions legal by state waiver; the human-written refills are legal in all 50 states. New prescriptions’ legality depends on reciprocity for licenses. There is an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact which simplifies the process for doctors to hold licenses in multiple states. Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee all participate as“ States of Principal License.” Doctronic AI cannot generate a brand-new medicine; it can only authorize online refills for a fee, and Doctronic requires that AI-generated prescriptions must be reviewed by a human doctor. The humans backing up the AI can generate new prescriptions.
“ Oh, NOW it’ s not free, I knew there’ d be a catch. Now you want my credit card!”
“ That much?” Ms. Imogene’ s blood pressure just shot up.
I don’ t care which genius has programmed a medical robot. It will never be someone who looks in your eyes and worries,“ This one is sick.” The machine will never be a soft hand, a warm shoulder, a person who gets you, who knew your elders and cared for them too. It can’ t be someone who knows to warn the lab you faint when stuck, and knows you bleed blue not red but still, you’ re a joy and a wonder. A robot cannot take one glance and instantly get ICU vibes.
Sorry Chat GPT, but you ain’ t no doctor.
Dr. Barry is an internist and Associate Professor of Medicine( Gratis Faculty) at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, currently retired and mulling her next moves.
Utah has in essence issued a waiver to the AI to function as a refill-clinician without benefit of physical exam, without verified vital signs, without ever having seen a patient in person, in front of you, right here right now. The FDA has backpedaled and noted that“ autonomous” prescribing systems do not fall into its regulatory portfolio. Seriously?
Imagine the scenario. Ms. Imogene grumbles,“ I’ ve filled out the form and answered all those questions. Now where is my medicine?” The robot directs her to the payment page.
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