The state of Utah allows artificial intelligence to prescribe acne treatments without prior review from a doctor starting from October 2026.
The American company Nolla Health launched a regulatory trial in the state of Utah that allows the Nolla Derm AI system to assess acne cases in adults and choose topical treatments with medical prescriptions, without requiring a doctor's review for each prescription at the advanced stages of the trial.
According to the company's announcement on October 5, 2026, the user begins by filling out a medical questionnaire and agreeing to the evaluation procedures, then takes pictures of their face via the app. The algorithm analyzes the data and images to select a treatment from a predefined list of topical medications approved by doctors, while cases that exceed the system's scope are referred to a specialist.
The trial is executed in phases; in the first phase, two licensed doctors review each prescription before it is issued for the first 100 patients. In the second phase, the system issues prescriptions directly for up to 500 patients, with subsequent medical review for the cases. The third phase involves reviewing a sample of no less than 10% of the prescriptions monthly, along with reviewing all cases that experience side effects or require medical escalation. Transitioning between phases requires meeting safety standards and obtaining state approval.
The program is limited to Utah residents aged 18 and older who suffer from mild to moderate acne and are eligible for specific treatments. It does not include severe cases or oral medications, including isotretinoin. The subscription cost for the app starts at $4.99 per month, excluding the cost of medications.
The company states that the system's recommendations align with doctors' assessments in over 96% of real cases, but this percentage is based on the company's own data and should not be considered independent evidence of the system's effectiveness or safety.
This trial is part of a regulatory program in Utah that allows testing AI applications in healthcare under the supervision of relevant authorities, with some specific regulatory constraints being eased. Participation in the program does not mean that the state has comprehensively approved the product or ensured its safety.
This move opens a discussion about the limits of autonomy allowed for AI in medical decisions, and the ability of subsequent oversight to protect patients when issuing prescriptions without prior review of each case.