Drone Delivery in Healthcare
Drone delivery has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in the U.S. healthcare system, including high costs, limited access, staffing shortages, environmental impact, and inconsistencies in care quality.
By using drones, healthcare providers can safely and efficiently deliver prescriptions, critical supplies, and life-saving materials. This includes facilitating organ transplants, hospital-to-hospital deliveries of blood, lab samples, and chemotherapy agents for infusion, as well as supporting virtual and home healthcare. Drones are particularly valuable in reaching vulnerable populations, such as those with mobility challenges or without access to transportation, ensuring they receive essential goods and medications.
UPS Flight Forward has already demonstrated the effectiveness of drone technology in healthcare, operating over 17,000 flights with the Matternet delivery drone. Data from these operations reveals that drone deliveries were 44% faster and produced 98% fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional ground couriers. These improvements have tangible benefits, such as the timely delivery of chemotherapy agents, which has directly enhanced patient care. Hospital networks are now eagerly awaiting broader adoption of drone delivery under BVLOS regulations to expand these life-changing capabilities.
Meanwhile, United Therapeutics is developing an uncrewed aircraft aimed at addressing logistical challenges in organ transplantation. At scale, they anticipate transporting 250 organs daily across the U.S., transforming the organ transplant process.
The broader impact of drone delivery is substantial. In one small metropolitan area, drones could help approximately 1,340 individuals access prescription medications and generate up to $59.3 million in annual healthcare benefits. In one large metropolitan area, drones could support 22,000 people and produce up to $959 million in benefits. These figures represent single metropolitan areas, underscoring the significant potential for nationwide benefits. Additionally, drones could help reduce prescription abandonment—estimated to affect nearly 20% of users—by overcoming barriers like pharmacy inaccessibility and transportation difficulties.
However, the full health and economic potential of drone delivery can only be realized with the widespread implementation of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and regulatory advancements like the FAA’s Part 108 rule. These changes are critical to scaling drone delivery efficiently and unlocking its transformative impact on healthcare.
