CVS Health is experimenting with drone delivery to its pharmacy customers through a new partnership with UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward.
The companies announced the new program, which includes delivery of prescriptions and retail products to the homes of CVS Pharmacy customers. UPS Flight Forward the only certified company to operate a drone airline by the FAA, according to the announcement, and the company already delivers medical samples via drone at a North Carolina hospital, WakeMed Hospital. UPS has already completed more than 1,500 revenue-generating drone delivers at WakeMed since March 2019.
“As the country’s first fully-certified drone airline, UPS Flight Forward is rapidly building a robust customer base and a network of technology partners to galvanize our leadership in drone delivery,” Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer, said in a statement. “We will create new logistics and delivery solutions no one has ever considered. Previous industry thinking had been limited to only ground transportation technology. Now we’re thinking in three dimensions.”
The move for CVS is the latest in a string of initiatives to improve accessibility for consumers. The company launched a new concept, called HealthHub, in a pilot project in Texas to provide more healthcare services, digital tools and on-demand sites within CVS stores. The pharmacy and retailer has since announced it is expanding the concept. It also expanded telehealth services last year.
“We’re always looking to improve convenience for customers through faster, lower-cost and more efficient delivery models,” CVS Pharmacy President Kevin Hourican said in the announcement. “Given our focus on innovation, we’re excited to be the first retail health care company to explore drone delivery options with UPS.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."