Utah lets Nolla’s AI issue initial acne prescriptions under staged oversight
Nolla Health has launched a Utah pilot that covers the first prescription for mild to moderate acne, with eligibility restricted to adult residents and predefined topical treatments. Two physicians must review each assessment before prescribing in the opening stage. Later stages move review after issuance, but progression requires minimum trial periods, physician agreement and written state approval.
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The pilot covers a first treatment plan for adult Utah residents
Nolla Health, a company developing an AI prescribing system, announced on October 5 that Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy had authorized initial prescriptions for mild to moderate acne. The permission concerns a first treatment plan, extending beyond the renewal of a prescription already written. Only Utah residents aged 18 or older are eligible. Treatment is limited to predefined topical plans, with severe acne and pregnancy excluded and referred for physician assessment or in-person care.[1], [2]
The Utah agreement provides limited regulatory protection for those specified prescriptions. It describes mitigation rather than state endorsement of Nolla’s product or treatment. The pilot’s scope is confined to the defined adult population and topical acne treatments.[2]
Two physicians review the first 100 assessments before prescribing
Before assessment, users verify their identity and give informed consent. They answer structured questions and scan their faces from five angles. Those inputs feed the system’s assessment and, when appropriate, its proposed prescription. The first stage places two licensed physicians between that assessment and issuance: each physician independently reviews every case among the first 100 patients. Both reviews occur before the prescription is issued. The initial stage must run for at least four weeks.[1], [2]
Later stages shift review after issuance and require state approval
In stage two, Nolla can issue prescriptions directly for up to 500 patients. Physicians still examine every case retrospectively, at least weekly, and the stage must last at least eight weeks. Stage three moves to monthly sampling of at least 10 per cent of cases. Every escalated case and every reported side effect also enters review. Moving between stages requires physician agreement of at least 95 per cent, zero serious adverse events and written approval from the state.[1], [2]
Follow-up continues through daily skin scans, with treatment reviewed after every 28 scans. Users can also message a licensed physician within the app. Dr. Zaid Fadul oversees the clinical work. Luis Wenus is Nolla’s co-founder and chief executive.[1], [2]
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