Boots undertake UK’s first drone delivery of prescription medicines

High street chemist, Boots has become the first UK-based community pharmacy to transport prescription medicine by drone. The test flight was from the British Army’s Baker Barracks on Thorney Island near Portsmouth to St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight. 

The medical drone startup, Apian worked alongside Boots to complete the delivery. Chief Information Officer at Boots, Rich Corbridge said: “Drones have huge potential in the delivery of medicines and it is incredibly exciting to be the first community pharmacy in the UK to transport them in this way.

"An island location like the Isle of Wight seemed like a sensible place to start a trial of drones and their value to the delivery of medicines to more remote locations is very clear.”   

Chief Operating Officer at Apian, Max Coppin said: “Not only can drones deliver medicine to hospitals but we are particularly excited about our partnership with Boots as it demonstrates drones can also help bring care closer to communities. Whilst faster and more reliable than ground transportation they bring with them additional environmental benefits and offer a more sustainable solution for delivery.“

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