UK’s NHS and Apian Partner with Zipline to Revolutionize Medical Supply Delivery with Drones
Lately, the worldwide Medical Supply Delivery Service Market has seen exponential growth, with revenues surpassing the US$50 billion mark in 2022. This market’s trajectory is poised for robust expansion, driven by various aspects which are reshaping the landscape of healthcare logistics.
UK-based healthcare logistics company Apian is teaming up with Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous easy delivery company, to significantly amplify the NHS program delivering medical supplies to healthcare facilities. The expansion, set to roll out with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust by the autumn of 2024, is predicted to create local job opportunities within the region.
The worldwide Medical Supply Delivery Service Market is extremely competitive, featuring each local and global players vying for market share. Notable firms on this space include DHL, UPS, Agility, LogistiCare Solutions, LLC, FedEx Corporation, CEVA Logistics, The Wing, International SOS, Matternet, Zipline, Flirtey, and Swoop Aero, based on Fairview Market Research.
Apian and Zipline’s collaboration with the NHS marks a major milestone as the primary industrial partners within the UK for Zipline. The partnership builds upon Zipline’s successful track record in North America, Asia, and Africa. Leveraging Zipline’s delivery system, known for its use by firms like Cleveland Clinic, Pfizer, and Walmart, the NHS goals to create a more efficient supply chain for medical devices and prescriptions. The autonomous drone delivery service will provide timely access to prescriptions, wound care, and other regularly needed medical products.
“I’ve seen first hand the impact that running out of supplies can have on patient health outcomes,” said Dr. Christopher Law, Medical Director and Co-Founding father of Apian. “Healthcare should profit from on-demand delivery, very like consumers now do of their personal lives. Delivering critical products with drones, where and once they’re most needed, will improve supply chain efficiency and provides doctors, nurses and clinicians more time to give attention to crucial thing — their patients.”
Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive Officer of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, anticipates positive outcomes from the expansion, stating, “This revolutionary technology may very well be used to enhance healthcare outcomes, get monetary savings, and eliminate supply chain complexities.”
Zipline will centralize the inventory of regularly ordered products and deliver them to healthcare facilities inside minutes of receiving orders. This system initially targets 4 regional health facilities and plans to serve over 30 GP, care, and health facilities across the region over time.
Zipline’s CEO and Co-Founder, Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, emphasizes the environmental and financial advantages, stating, “This decision implies that the NHS can begin to transition delivery to solutions which are ten times as fast, cheaper, and nil emission.”
Zipline will establish a hub for its operations near the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland. The fleet of fully autonomous aircraft, often known as Zips, can travel as much as 130 miles roundtrip in almost any weather condition, releasing packages with parachutes.
Since its founding, Zipline has flown greater than 60 million industrial miles and delivered tens of millions of medical products worldwide, including over 13 million vaccine doses. Independent studies from leading institutions have shown that the Zipline delivery system has saved lives, reduced blood wastage, and lowered the likelihood of medical product stockouts.
Read more: