Partnership with Zipline begins in suburban Cleveland, with plans to expand to lab samples, meals, and other medical supplies
Cleveland Clinic has launched a drone delivery program for prescription medications, becoming the first U.S. health system to establish a long-term drone delivery service for patients. The program, operated in partnership with Zipline, is already making deliveries to eligible patients in Cleveland’s east side suburbs.
The launch marks another milestone in the growing use of drones for healthcare logistics in the United States. While drone deliveries have supported pilot programs and emergency medical transport, Cleveland Clinic’s initiative represents an operational service integrated into routine patient care.
Initially, the program serves patients within a five-mile radius of Cleveland Clinic’s Beachwood Administrative Campus, which functions as the drone operations hub. Eligible patients who already participate in Cleveland Clinic’s pharmacy home delivery program for certain medications may choose drone delivery at no additional cost.
The health system plans to expand the service over time to additional locations and to transport lab samples, medically tailored meals, and other medical supplies.
Expanding Access to Pharmacy Services
Cleveland Clinic says the program aims to make prescription delivery faster and more convenient while extending the reach of its pharmacy services beyond traditional facilities.
“Cleveland Clinic is committed to exploring innovative ways to improve access and make healthcare more responsive to the needs of our patients,” said Bill Peacock, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic. “This drone delivery program is an example of how we can use technology to help patients receive important medications quickly, safely and efficiently.”
Patients whose prescriptions qualify for drone delivery receive notification through Cleveland Clinic’s MyChart patient portal. Controlled substances are not eligible for drone transport.
“Receiving medication quickly and conveniently can make a meaningful difference for patients,” said Lindsey Amerine, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “This program is another way in which we’re strengthening home delivery and extending the reach of our services beyond the walls of our facilities.”
How the Delivery System Works
The delivery process differs from traditional drone operations because the aircraft never lands at the patient’s home.
A Cleveland Clinic pharmacy technician places a prescription into a secure drop box at the Beachwood facility. An electric Zipline drone retrieves the package and flies autonomously to the delivery location.
When the drone arrives, it remains up to 300 feet above the ground. A tether lowers a delivery pod containing the prescription to the designated location. After the package is released, the pod returns to the drone, which flies back to its charging station.
Patients can follow the delivery through a tracking link sent in the MyChart messaging portal.
According to Zipline, each aircraft performs more than 500 safety checks every second during flight. Cleveland Clinic and Zipline say they worked together to meet all regulatory and technical requirements before launching the service.
From Global Healthcare to Everyday Deliveries
The Cleveland Clinic program builds on Zipline’s broader healthcare network. Since beginning operations in 2016, the company has delivered tens of millions of medical products worldwide and now serves more than 5,000 hospitals and healthcare facilities.
The company’s U.S. operations have also expanded rapidly beyond healthcare. In Texas, customers can order more than 100,000 products from more than 100 brands, including Walmart, Chipotle, Little Caesars, and numerous locally owned restaurants through the Zipline app. Zipline reports an average order-to-delivery time of 18 minutes, with its fastest deliveries taking just five minutes.
The company now operates commercially in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas, alongside its international operations. According to Zipline, U.S. deliveries now account for more than 70% of its daily delivery volume.
Zipline President of U.S. Healthcare Hillary Brendzel said the Cleveland Clinic partnership highlights how autonomous delivery can simplify access to care.
“This program between Cleveland Clinic and Zipline makes it easier for patients to access the medicine they need. That’s one less errand to run, and more time back in people’s days. This launch is the latest milestone in Cleveland Clinic’s long history of using innovation to create a better patient experience.”
For Cleveland Clinic, the program represents more than a technology demonstration. By integrating drone delivery into everyday pharmacy operations, the health system is testing whether autonomous aircraft can become a routine part of healthcare logistics while improving convenience and access for patients.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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