Amazon will start testing drones that will drop prescriptions on your doorstep, literally

Amazon will soon make prescription drugs fall from the sky when the e-commerce giant becomes the latest company to test drone deliveries for medications. The company said that customers in College Station, Texas, can now get prescriptions delivered by a drone within an hour of placing their order. The drone, programmed to fly from a delivery center with a secure pharmacy, will travel to the customer’s address, descend to a height of about four meters — or 13 feet — and drop a padded package. Amazon says customers will be able to choose from more than 500 medications, a list that includes common treatments for conditions like the flu or pneumonia, but not controlled substances. The company's Prime Air division began testing drone deliveries of common household items last December in College Station and Lockeford, California. Amazon spokesperson Jessica Bardoulas said the company has made thousands of deliveries since launching the service, and is expanding it to include prescriptions based in part on customer requests. Amazon announced it will also launch drone delivery at a third U.S. location and cities in Italy and the United Kingdom by the end of next year. The company said it will disclose the exact locations in the coming months. Amazon Prime already delivers some medications from the company’s pharmacy within two days. But pharmacy Vice President John Love said that doesn’t help someone with an acute illness like the flu. “What we’re trying to do is figure out how can we bend the curve on speed,” he said. Amazon Pharmacy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vin Gupta says the U.S. healthcare system generally struggles with diagnosing and treating patients quickly for acute illnesses, something that was apparent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Narrowing the window between diagnosis and treating makes many treatments more effective, he said. Amazon also unveiled a new drone called MK30 that, by the end of next year, will replace the drones it currently uses to deliver packages. The company says the new drone flies further, is smaller and quieter, and also has enhanced delivery capabilities. This article was provided by The Associated Press.