Cleveland Clinic has launched a prescription drone delivery program in partnership with Zipline, marking what the health system describes as the first long-term deployment of such a service by a U.S. health system. The program, which began with initial deliveries in and around Beachwood, Ohio, aims to provide a faster and more convenient way for patients to receive eligible prescriptions.
The service currently covers addresses within a five-mile radius of Cleveland Clinic's Beachwood Administrative Campus. Patients who already participate in the clinic's pharmacy home delivery program and are selected by the pharmacy team may be notified via their electronic patient portal. Participation in the drone delivery service is voluntary and does not incur additional charges. At launch, the program is limited to shelf-stable prescriptions, with controlled substances excluded from drone transport.
The delivery process begins at a Cleveland Clinic pharmacy, where a technician places a packaged prescription into a secure Zipline drop box. An autonomous drone then retrieves the order and transports it to the patient's address. While flying at altitudes up to 300 feet, the drone releases a small delivery pod via a tether. This pod descends to the ground to place the prescription before returning to the drone. Zipline reports an average flight time of under five minutes for its deliveries.
Patients can track their deliveries through a provided link in the MyChart messaging portal. Cleveland Clinic advises patients to be cautious of unsolicited text messages or emails claiming to be tracking updates, recommending they access tracking information directly through the official MyChart application or website. Eligible patients can select a preferred delivery location on their property, such as a front or back yard, and can schedule delivery for a time when they expect to be home.
Zipline states that its drones do not transmit live video feeds and that the company only receives necessary information for delivery, adhering to healthcare handling and temperature requirements. Flight operations are monitored by specialists through operational dashboards, and drones navigate autonomously using onboard sensors to avoid obstacles. Both Cleveland Clinic and Zipline assert that they have met the necessary regulatory and technical requirements for the program.
Zipline has been involved in medical product delivery since 2016, reportedly serving thousands of hospitals and health facilities globally and completing millions of medical product deliveries. The company has expanded its operations, with a significant portion of its commercial deliveries now occurring in the United States, encompassing not only healthcare but also restaurant and retail orders.
Cleveland Clinic plans to expand the drone delivery service over time to include other medications, lab samples, medically tailored meals, and medical supplies. Zipline's next planned expansion in the U.S. is to Austin, Texas. The company suggests that this service can save patients time and reduce the burden of errands, particularly benefiting older adults and busy parents.
According to Zipline, its drones are capable of operating in various weather conditions, including rain and wind. However, in instances where a drone flight is not possible due to weather or other issues, Cleveland Clinic will utilize ground couriers. The clinic also states that each drone undergoes over 500 safety checks per second during flight.