Recently, the Hunan Provincial Medical Security Bureau issued a new notice explicitly prohibiting internet hospitals from using artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to automatically generate prescriptions. This regulation has sparked widespread public concern, particularly given the increasing prevalence of internet-based medical services.
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According to the notice released by the Hunan Provincial Medical Security Bureau, internet hospitals must adhere to relevant regulations when issuing prescriptions, ensuring that the prescription is personally written by the physician who actually examined the patient. Effective and thorough communication with the patient or their family is also required. The use of AI or other automated methods for prescription generation is strictly prohibited. It's worth noting that the "Internet Diagnosis and Treatment Supervision Measures (Trial)" issued three years ago already clearly stipulated that prescriptions must be written by the doctor themselves and cannot be replaced by AI.
As reported by Chengdu Business Daily, industry experts point out that prohibiting AI from generating prescriptions does not mean prohibiting hospitals from using AI tools to assist doctors. AI still plays a significant role in helping doctors with image analysis and data organization, but decisions regarding a patient's specific treatment plan and medication should ultimately be made by a doctor. These measures aim to ensure medical safety and protect patient rights.
Meanwhile, many hospitals have begun integrating AI tools, such as DeepSeek, which can help doctors analyze cases and identify lesions, improving diagnostic efficiency. However, doctors emphasize that AI is only an auxiliary tool; the final diagnosis and prescription must still be made by a professional physician.
Key Points:
📜 Hunan Province explicitly prohibits internet hospitals from using AI to automatically generate prescriptions, ensuring that prescriptions are written by physicians themselves.
🤖 Experts emphasize that AI should be used as an auxiliary tool, not a replacement for physician decision-making.
⚖️ Medical advice is for reference only. Patients should follow the professional judgment of their doctors to avoid legal risks.
