// Boots transports prescription-only medicines in the UK via drone
// The flight took off from Portsmouth and landed at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight
Boots has launched its first drone to deliver prescription-only medicines in the UK.
The retailer claims to be the first community pharmacy in the UK to transport medicines by uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The flight took off from Portsmouth and landed at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight, with the medicines being collected by Boots and transported to its pharmacies across the island.
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Boots teamed up with medical drone start up Apian to facilitate the test flight.
The retailer is now assessing the future potential for drones in medicines delivery.
“Drones have a 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,” Boots chief information officer, Rich Corbridge said.
“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.
“In this trial, we will be looking at how much time we can save, as well as how we can incorporate drones into our medicines supply chain to create economic efficiencies too. We want to prepare now for the wider use of this technology in the future.”
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