Amazon has expanded its drone delivery services, including prescription medications, following strong customer demands and the potential to improve the speed and efficiency of healthcare services.
The expanded drone delivery service will now allow customers in College Station, Texas, to receive their prescribed medications via drone within just one hour of placing their order, the company said on October 18.
The company’s innovative Prime Air division has been conducting tests of drone deliveries for common household items since December, in partnership with College Station and Lockeford, California, and has achieved thousands of successful deliveries to date.
Drone delivery scheme
Amazon’s announcement reveals that the drones operate at an elevation ranging from 40 to 120 meters, a height carefully chosen for its minimal obstacles. These drones are equipped with sensors and cameras, allowing them to efficiently navigate around individuals, pets, and power lines.
The drone is dispatched from a secure pharmacy delivery center and autonomously flies to the customer’s specified address. Upon reaching the destination, the drone descends to a height of approximately 13 feet (4 meters) before gently releasing a padded package containing the prescribed medication.
Customers will have access to a wide range of over 500 medications, including common treatments for illnesses like the flu or pneumonia, excluding controlled substances.
“Our drones fly over traffic, eliminating the excess time a customer’s package might spend in transit on the road,” said Calsee Hendrickson, director of product and program management at Prime Air, in a statement. “That’s the beauty of drone delivery, and medications were the first thing our customers said they also want delivered quickly via drone. Speed and convenience top the wish list for health purchases.”
The Vice President of Pharmacy at Amazon, John Love, emphasized the importance of speed in delivering medical treatments for acute illnesses. While Amazon Pharmacy’s two-day delivery service is efficient for most needs, it may not suffice for individuals requiring immediate access to their prescribed medications.
“What we’re trying to do is figure out how can we bend the curve on speed,” he said.
Amazon’s continued expansion into the healthcare sector is evident, with the addition of a pharmacy, a substantial investment in primary care provider One Medical, and the introduction of video telemedicine visits across all 50 U.S. states in August.
Similar initiatives by other companies
Amazon’s way into prescription drone deliveries follows similar ventures by other companies. CVS Health had previously collaborated with UPS to test drone deliveries in North Carolina in 2019, although that program has since concluded.
Intermountain Health, on the other hand, initiated drone deliveries of prescriptions in the Salt Lake City area in 2021, and it continues to expand this innovative service in partnership with Zipline, a logistics company specializing in drone deliveries.
Regulatory issues
Despite the potential benefits, companies seeking to employ drones for commercial purposes have faced regulatory challenges focused on ensuring the safe operation of these technologies. Regulatory approvals have typically been limited to specific geographic areas, hampering broader implementation.
However, recent developments have seen regulators become more receptive to such initiatives, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting approval for longer-range drone flights by Zipline and UPS.
Introduction of new drone model for package deliveries
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation, Amazon recently unveiled a new drone model known as the MK30, which is set to replace the existing drones used for package delivery by the end of the next year. This next-generation drone boasts extended flight capabilities, reduced noise levels, and improved delivery features, promising an even more efficient and convenient service.
With the ability to reach heights of up to 400 feet before making its descent, the new drone employs advanced technology to ensure the delivery area is clear of obstacles such as pets or children, guaranteeing a secure and reliable delivery process.
Amazon is not alone in its pursuit of drone delivery solutions, as Walmart has also been actively working to enhance its drone delivery capabilities.
Amazon plans to launch delivery drones in the UK and Italy in 2024
Amazon also is planning to expand its Prime Air drone delivery program to two additional countries – Italy and the United Kingdom. This is in addition to expanding to a third city in the United States by the end of next year. The new Prime Air locations will be announced in the beginning of 2024.
In addition to the new delivery sites, Prime Air is unveiling the new MK30 drone design, which is quieter, smaller, and lighter, than previous models, said David Carbon, Vice President of Amazon’s Prime Air.