AmerisourceBergen Is Teaming Up With UPS for Drone Delivery of Drugs and Supplies

Conshohocken-based AmerisourceBergen is teaming up with UPS to use the shipping giant’s new Flight Forward “drone airline” to deliver drugs and supplies to hospitals across the country, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

UPS is already using drones in North Carolina and will soon expand that use to Utah. The Atlanta-based company has no immediate plans for Philadelphia, but it does plan a national rollout soon.

The two companies want to use unmanned aviation instead of ground courier vehicle contractors to ship the majority of medical products.

The drugs and supplies would be moved by drones from AmerisourceBergen’s distribution centers to hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and other locations.

The companies are hoping that in addition to saving costs through the elimination of couriers, the new transportation method will avoid road traffic and further reduce costs.

“This partnership gives us tremendous flexibility in meeting patient needs with emerging technology that will improve supply chain efficiencies in unique and innovative ways,“ said Steve Collis, AmerisourceBergen chairman and CEO. “Working with UPS to deliver innovation to our customers is consistent with our commitment to help solve challenges facing healthcare providers.”

Read more about the companies’ plans at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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