How Zipline delivers medical products by drone

Zipline’s fixed-wing drones are delivering medical supplies in North Carolina. [Image courtesy of Zipline]

There’s a new mode of last-mile delivery of medical products to patients and pharmacies made possible by a few neat feats of engineering.

San Francisco-based Zipline and its fleet of Zip delivery drones are now flying for Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), Novant Health and Magellan Rx Management from a hub in North Carolina.

The new Kannapolis, North Carolina distribution center — think of it like a medical fulfillment warehouse combined with a drone airport — is where orders are picked, packed and launched, reaching drop zones within a 7,800-square-mile area in as little as 15 minutes.

This aerial view of Zipline’s North Carolina distribution center shows the tall towers used to bring the drones back to the ground. [Photo co…

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Cardinal Health starts Zipline drone deliveries of drugs and medical supplies

Zipline’s fixed-wing drones are delivering medical supplies in North Carolina. [Image courtesy of Zipline]Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today started air delivery of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies via Zipline drone in North Carolina.

San Francisco-based Zipline won FAA Part 135 air carrier certification for the long-range flights earlier this month. The company flew its first commercial deliveries on June 22 with an initial 16-nautical-mile flight.

The flights starting today are out of Zipline’s hub in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on behalf of Cardinal Health as well as Novant Health and Magellan Rx Management.

Zipline said the hub can serve customers within a 7,800-square-mile area in as little as 15 minutes, with 98 percent lower emissions than traditional delivery options.

Get the full story at our sister site, Medical Design & Outsourcing.

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Cardinal Health starts Zipline drone deliveries of drugs and medical supplies

Zipline’s fixed-wing drones are delivering medical supplies in North Carolina. [Image courtesy of Zipline]

Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today started air delivery of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies via Zipline drone in North Carolina.

San Francisco-based Zipline won FAA Part 135 air carrier certification for the long-range flights earlier this month. The company flew its first commercial deliveries on June 22 with an initial 16-nautical-mile flight.

The flights starting today are out of Zipline’s hub in Kannapolis, North Carolina, to Cardinal Health as well as Novant Health and Magellan Rx Management.

Zipline said the hub can serve customers within a 7,800-square-mile area in as little as 15 minutes, with 98 percent lower emissions than traditional delivery options.

“We imagine a future in which goods are transported nearly instantly,” Zipline founder and CEO Keller …

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