Experts Caution Nigerians On Reliance On AI For Drug Prescriptions

Public health physicians are worried about the growing reliance on artificial intelligence for medical needs and drug prescriptions among Nigerians and warned that such practice could expose patients to serious health risks.

The medical practitioner cautioned that while artificial intelligence could enhance efficiency and provide valuable insights into patient management, it lacks the understanding of individual patient needs that a human doctor possesses.

The physicians emphasised that factors such as medical history, allergies, and psychological nuances could greatly influence treatment efficacy, insisting that AI might overlook these critical elements, while its potential for algorithmic bias raises concerns about equitable care.

They pointed out that AI should serve as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement, emphasising the importance of human judgment in ensuring safe and effective patient care.

Recall that the public health practitioners, under the aegis of the Health Promotion and Education Alumni Association, Ibadan College of Medicine, had cautioned Nigerians against relying on AI for self-diagnosis and medical prescriptions, stating that such practices might be harmful to humans.

The professionals decried the increasing incidence of people consulting the Internet instead of qualified medical practitioners for healthcare needs, warning that medications prescribed by AI or sourced online might not take into consideration the medical history of patients, and therefore, could cause more harm than good.

The President of the Association, Dr. Bright Orji, who spoke at the opening of a two-day Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the HPEAAICM, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence and Innovations in Public Health,’ in Ibadan, said Al had come to stay, hence there was a need for moderation in its usage, particularly for public health consumers and practitioners alike.

“The reason we want to do this is so that everyone is well aware of what to do. You can observe that even social media is being misused and abused. So, it’s important that there is a lot of information, and of course, disinformation, in the age we live in today,” Orji added.

Some experts who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise cautioned that although AI might present many opportunities that could be harnessed, public health consumers and practitioners must be aware that Al could hallucinate and create what doesn’t exist.

They warned that individuals should not see Al as all-knowing and it cannot replace professionals.

An Epidemiologist and Professor of Public Health at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Tanimola Akande, said reliance on AI for drug prescription was not advisable.

He noted that, in addition to the symptoms that patients report, there were other signs revealed during a physical examination that AI could capture.

Akande said, “Reliance on AI for drug prescription is not advisable. There are other symptoms of diseases that the patient can report, that are elicited by doctors during physical examination of the patient that AI cannot provide.

“In addition, AI will not be able to determine the results of tests or investigations used in arriving at a diagnosis. Doctors also take into consideration a lot of other contextual factors in determining how best to treat a patient. This cannot be done effectively through AI.”

On the possibility of AI offering an individualised treatment and prescription, Akande, who is also a former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said, “Certainly, AI cannot take the place of physicians in the management of patients.”

He noted that AI could, however, help provide information that could help to some extent in the management of patients, but urged the people to seek care in well-manned health facilities when they are ill.

Akande, who has led the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Ilorin, said, “Reliance on AI by individuals for treatment of ailments is inappropriate and may be risky when fully relied on.”

Emphasing the importance of discouraging the practice of patients using AI for treatment, Akande stressed that consulting a medical doctor for treatment was the most appropriate thing to do without crisis and regrets.

“To discourage the practice of patients using AI for treatment, a lot of health education is required for people to know the limitations of using AI in managing patients.

“In modern medicine, AI is gaining increasing relevance, but it is important to seek care from doctors. When people are ill, they should seek care in well-manned health facilities,” he added.

Corroborating his statement, the President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide, Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin, said that while AI offers numerous opportunities, both public health consumers and practitioners must recognise that AI could hallucinate and generate information that doesn’t exist.

He said, “We must be cautious that people don’t start relying on AI instead of healthcare workers, as some AI tools can hallucinate. An AI tool might generate a medication that doesn’t exist and describe the side effects of that nonexistent drug.”

“To understand this, you need to be a content expert. If you use an AI tool, you must be knowledgeable enough to verify its output rather than blindly accept it.

“The Nigeria Medical and Dental Council will take decisive action against practitioners who make mistakes due to AI use. If a healthcare worker errs and tries to blame AI, they will face consequences from the Council.

“We go to medical school to learn how to identify and analyse patient problems, consider multiple solutions, and choose the best option. You cannot delegate this responsibility to AI. If something goes wrong, you will be held accountable.”

Otolorin, however, noted that many quacks were using AI now, just as there had always been those pretending to be healthcare professionals.

“They exist in all fields, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and pharmacists. Patients need to be cautious as well; some now treat Google as their doctor.

“If you rely on Google for medical advice, you must accept the consequences, especially in a country where you may buy any drug without a prescription,” he added.

PUNCH