Utah AI chatbot can now prescribe psychiatric drugs

Utah has authorized an AI system to prescribe psychiatric medications, marking a significant delegation of clinical authority. This pilot program, involving Legion Health's AI chatbot, aims to reduce costs and address care shortages by allowing the AI to renew certain prescriptions. While state officials believe this could improve access and affordability, medical professionals express concerns about the system's opacity and potential risks. The subscription-based service offers refills for Utah-based patients, but its long-term impact on mental healthcare accessibility remains a subject of debate and scrutiny.