New York, April 12 (SANA) A U.S.-based startup has developed an artificial intelligence system that can renew prescriptions for certain psychiatric medications, aiming to improve access to treatment and reduce waiting times amid a shortage of specialist doctors.
The Utah-based company, Legion Health, has launched an application that allows an AI-powered chatbot to renew prescriptions for around 15 drugs used in the long-term treatment of anxiety and depression, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro. The system is being tested over a one-year trial period and is limited to clinically stable patients with prior prescriptions issued by psychiatrists.
The platform analyzes patient responses and medical histories to make automated decisions on prescription renewals, helping to lower costs and speed up access to care. It still requires an initial diagnosis by a qualified physician.
Experts have raised concerns about the approach. Professor Ludovic Samalin, a psychiatrist at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital in France, said there is a lack of sufficient studies to assess the system’s safety. He noted that it is not classified as a medical device and is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Samalin warned that psychiatric care involves more than medication, stressing the need for comprehensive evaluation and support for patients’ social and professional conditions.
The development reflects growing global reliance on artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in mental health, as systems face mounting pressure and shortages of specialized personnel while seeking to balance wider access to care with patient safety.
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