Cleveland Clinic Introduces First Long-Term Drone Prescription Delivery Program in the U.S.

Cleveland Clinic Launches Drone Delivery Program for Prescription Medications

Partnership with Zipline Begins in Suburban Cleveland

Cleveland Clinic has initiated a drone delivery program for prescription medications, marking it as the first U.S. health system to implement a long-term drone delivery service for patients. This program, developed in collaboration with Zipline, is currently operational in the east side suburbs of Cleveland.

The launch signifies a significant advancement in the utilization of drones for healthcare logistics in the United States. While previous drone deliveries have primarily focused on pilot programs and emergency medical transport, Cleveland Clinic’s initiative represents a fully operational service integrated into routine patient care.

The program initially serves patients within a five-mile radius of Cleveland Clinic’s Beachwood Administrative Campus, which acts as the drone operations hub. Patients who are already part of Cleveland Clinic’s pharmacy home delivery program for specific medications can opt for drone delivery at no extra cost.

Future plans for the service include expanding to additional locations and transporting lab samples, medically tailored meals, and other medical supplies.

Expanding Access to Pharmacy Services

Cleveland Clinic aims to enhance the speed and convenience of prescription delivery while broadening the reach of its pharmacy services beyond traditional facilities.

“Cleveland Clinic is committed to exploring innovative ways to improve access and make healthcare more responsive to the needs of our patients,” stated Bill Peacock, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic. “This drone delivery program is an example of how we can use technology to help patients receive important medications quickly, safely, and efficiently.”

Patients whose prescriptions qualify for drone delivery will receive notifications through Cleveland Clinic’s MyChart patient portal. However, controlled substances are not eligible for drone transport.

“Receiving medication quickly and conveniently can make a meaningful difference for patients,” said Lindsey Amerine, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “This program is another way in which we’re strengthening home delivery and extending the reach of our services beyond the walls of our facilities.”

How the Delivery System Works

The delivery process is distinct from traditional drone operations, as the aircraft does not land at the patient’s home.

• A Cleveland Clinic pharmacy technician places a prescription into a secure drop box at the Beachwood facility.
• An electric Zipline drone retrieves the package and autonomously flies to the delivery location.
• Upon arrival, the drone hovers up to 300 feet above the ground, and a tether lowers a delivery pod containing the prescription to the designated spot.
• After releasing the package, the pod returns to the drone, which then flies back to its charging station.

Patients can track their delivery through a link sent via the MyChart messaging portal. According to Zipline, each aircraft conducts over 500 safety checks every second during flight. Cleveland Clinic and Zipline collaborated to ensure compliance with all regulatory and technical requirements prior to launching the service.

From Global Healthcare to Everyday Deliveries

The Cleveland Clinic program builds on Zipline’s extensive healthcare network. Since its inception in 2016, Zipline has delivered millions of medical products globally and currently serves over 5,000 hospitals and healthcare facilities.

In addition to healthcare, Zipline’s U.S. operations have expanded to include a wide range of products available for delivery. In Texas, customers can access over 100,000 products from various brands through the Zipline app, with an average order-to-delivery time of 18 minutes.

Zipline now operates commercially in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas, with U.S. deliveries accounting for more than 70% of its daily volume. Hillary Brendzel, President of U.S. Healthcare at Zipline, emphasized that the partnership with Cleveland Clinic demonstrates how autonomous delivery can enhance access to care.

“This program between Cleveland Clinic and Zipline makes it easier for patients to access the medicine they need,” Brendzel noted. “This launch is the latest milestone in Cleveland Clinic’s long history of using innovation to create a better patient experience.”

For Cleveland Clinic, the program signifies more than just a technological advancement. By incorporating drone delivery into everyday pharmacy operations, the health system is evaluating the potential for autonomous aircraft to become a standard component of healthcare logistics, thereby improving convenience and access for patients.