Cleveland Clinic has launched a drone-based prescription delivery service with Zipline, extending its pharmacy home delivery program to patients living near the health system’s Beachwood Administrative Campus in Ohio.
The service is currently available within a five-mile radius of the campus, which serves as the operating base for the drones. Cleveland Clinic said the first successful deliveries were completed during the previous week.
Patients whose medications qualify for drone delivery are notified by the health system’s pharmacy team through their patient portal and receive a link allowing them to track the order. Pharmacy staff place the prescription in a secure drop box before an autonomous electric drone retrieves it and travels to the patient’s address.
The drone does not land at the destination. Instead, it hovers at an altitude of up to 300 feet while a pod carrying the prescription descends to the ground on a tether. After releasing the package, the pod returns to the aircraft, which then flies back to a charging station.
Controlled substances are not currently eligible for drone delivery.
Cleveland Clinic plans to expand the program to additional locations over time and broaden the range of items transported. Potential future deliveries include additional medications, laboratory samples, medically tailored meals and other healthcare supplies.
Zipline has operated autonomous medical delivery services since 2016 and says its network currently supports more than 5,000 hospitals and health centers worldwide. Cleveland Clinic said each drone used in the program performs more than 500 safety checks per second while in flight and complies with applicable drone delivery regulations.
Other U.S. health systems are also evaluating or deploying autonomous delivery models for healthcare logistics, including Mayo Clinic and Advocate Health.
"Receiving medication quickly and conveniently can make a meaningful difference for patients," Lindsey Amerine, Cleveland Clinic's chief pharmacy officer, said in a statement. "This program is another way in which we're strengthening home delivery and extending the reach of our services beyond the walls of our facilities."
"This program between Cleveland Clinic and Zipline makes it easier for patients to access the medicine they need," added Hillary Brendzel, Zipline's president of U.S. healthcare. "That's one less errand to run, and more time back in people's days."
Email subject line: Claryx targets hospital infection outbreaks; Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk compete in oral GLP-1s; Cleveland Clinic and Zipline launch drone pharmacy delivery
Click here for the original news story.
