CVS and UPS Team up to Deliver Medications to Seniors via Drone During Pandemic

As the pandemic continues to affect daily life across the globe, UPS and CVS are working together to deliver prescriptions to seniors in Florida via drone.

Part of reducing the impact of COVID-19 is lowering the amount of exposure received by vulnerable populations. In an attempt to help reduce said exposure, UPS and CVS are using Matternet M2 drones, which are designed to carry payloads of up to 2 kilograms at distances up to 20 kilometers to deliver prescription medications to senior residents of The Villages retirement community in Florida. 

Starting in early May, the deliveries will initially be dropped at a nearby pickup location, with the final leg completed by a UPS driver. The project is part of an increased effort by UPS to help people continue to minimize their contact with the outside world during the ongoing pandemic. Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer, said:

Our new drone delivery service will help CVS provide safe and efficient deliveries of medicines to this large retirement community, enabling residents to receive medications without leaving their homes.

Though the technology is not ready for large-scale applications, UPS is using the current situation as an opportunity to continue exploring and expanding it.