UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward Inc (UPSFF) and CVS Health Corporation subsidiary CVS Pharmacy, announced the successful completion of the first revenue-generating drone delivery of a medical prescription from a CVS pharmacy directly to a consumer's home.
This was followed by another delivery of a medical prescription to a second customer in a nearby retirement community. Both flights occurred at the beginning of the month, using the M2 drone system by UPS partner and drone systems developer Matternet. The recent prescription delivery flights occurred with F approval to conduct a residential drone delivery and according to F regulations.
'This drone delivery, the first of its kind in the industry, demonstrates what's possible for our customers who can't easily make it into our stores,' said Kevin Hourican, president of CVS Pharmacy. 'CVS is exploring many types of delivery options for urban, suburban and rural markets. We see big potential in drone delivery in rural communities where life-saving medications are needed and consumers at times cannot conveniently access one of our stores.'
The deliveries also reflect an important step for UPSFF as it expands operations beyond those it currently offers on hospital campuses. UPSFF was the first company approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone airline under a Part 135 Standard certification. UPS earned its certification - the broadest available from the F - in late September. It permits the company to collect payment for drone deliveries and to fly as many drones supported by as many operators as necessary to meet customer demand.
'We now have an opportunity to offer different drone delivery solutions, tailored to meet customer needs for speed and convenience,' said Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer. 'Delivering prescriptions by drone directly to homes could greatly improve the patient experience for CVS customers. We're delighted to build new services that will shatter preconceived notions of how, when and where goods can be delivered.'
WORLD SHIPPING
This was followed by another delivery of a medical prescription to a second customer in a nearby retirement community. Both flights occurred at the beginning of the month, using the M2 drone system by UPS partner and drone systems developer Matternet. The recent prescription delivery flights occurred with F approval to conduct a residential drone delivery and according to F regulations.
'This drone delivery, the first of its kind in the industry, demonstrates what's possible for our customers who can't easily make it into our stores,' said Kevin Hourican, president of CVS Pharmacy. 'CVS is exploring many types of delivery options for urban, suburban and rural markets. We see big potential in drone delivery in rural communities where life-saving medications are needed and consumers at times cannot conveniently access one of our stores.'
The deliveries also reflect an important step for UPSFF as it expands operations beyond those it currently offers on hospital campuses. UPSFF was the first company approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate a drone airline under a Part 135 Standard certification. UPS earned its certification - the broadest available from the F - in late September. It permits the company to collect payment for drone deliveries and to fly as many drones supported by as many operators as necessary to meet customer demand.
'We now have an opportunity to offer different drone delivery solutions, tailored to meet customer needs for speed and convenience,' said Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer. 'Delivering prescriptions by drone directly to homes could greatly improve the patient experience for CVS customers. We're delighted to build new services that will shatter preconceived notions of how, when and where goods can be delivered.'
WORLD SHIPPING