Hunan Province Bans AI-Generated Prescriptions Amid Growing Use of AI in Healthcare
Health authorities in Hunan province have issued a clear ban on the use of artificial intelligence for writing prescriptions, mandating that all e-prescriptions must be written by certified physicians within the province's medical insurance framework.
A recent notice from the Hunan Healthcare Security Administration states that all designated medical institutions must be fully integrated into the provincial electronic prescription platform to ensure that prescriptions are traceable and the process remains transparent.
Additionally, the notice prohibits internet-based hospitals from using AI-generated prescriptions. These hospitals are required to connect their systems to the provincial medical insurance electronic prescription center, facilitating prescription transfers. Doctors must also conduct thorough consultations with patients or their families before issuing prescriptions.
To ensure medication safety, a "dual-review" process has been implemented: first by pharmacists at the medical institution, followed by a second review by retail pharmacists to verify the authenticity, appropriateness, and compliance of the prescriptions.
The policy reflects Hunan's commitment to standardizing prescription practices. However, hospitals are increasingly adopting AI tools like DeepSeek to enhance research and administrative efficiency. Despite this, the rise of AI has led to public concerns about whether patients still need to see doctors when AI can provide detailed medical suggestions.
Three hospitals in Hunan — People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Hunan Chest Hospital, and Chenzhou First People's Hospital — have successfully integrated DeepSeek for local deployment. For example, People's Hospital integrated DeepSeek with its office system, simplifying administrative tasks such as approvals and scheduling. The platform is used for interpreting test results and providing medication guidance, and it has processed over 4 million requests with an average of over 1,200 active daily users.
DeepSeek also supports scientific research by helping medical staff access the latest findings and extract relevant data from medical literature, accelerating research progress. In clinical practice, it provides decision support, including assisting with tubeless thoracic surgeries at Hunan Chest Hospital, where it offers recommendations based on vast medical knowledge.
Despite concerns that AI could replace doctors, medical professionals emphasize that AI is a valuable assistant, not a replacement. AI aids in diagnostics and treatment suggestions, but the final decisions are made by healthcare providers who consider each patient's unique needs.
Medical professionals, including He Qing, vice-president of Hunan Chest Hospital, highlight that medicine requires not only knowledge and skills but also empathy and attention to individual patient circumstances. AI can offer suggestions, but doctors ultimately make the final decision, especially in complex cases.
Source:https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/25/WS67bd157ca310c240449d7036.html
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