The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom has launched a medical drone delivery service in partnership with healthcare logistics firm Apian and Alphabet's drone-delivery company Wing to provide on-demand aerial transport of blood samples.

The initial service will run for six months between Guy’s Hospital and the lab at St. Thomas’ Hospital to enable quicker analysis and more timely decision-making by healthcare workers regarding patient readiness for surgery or discharge.

The partnership already delivers medical supplies in Dublin and builds on Apian’s previous trials in the U.K. and Wing’s global healthcare work, including drone deliveries of over-the-counter medications, COVID-19 tests and household medical supplies.

Dr. Hammad Jeilani, cofounder of Apian, told MobiHealthNews that operating in a city like London requires strict adherence to regulations set by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The operations take place within a special airspace structure, called a temporary reserved area (TRA), and avoid sensitive areas or no-fly zones, which the CAA has authorized to enable safe operations in London’s airspace.

'We are working closely with the CAA to ensure all regulatory requirements are met and thank them for their ongoing collaboration and due diligence," Jeilani said.

He pointed out that van and motorbike couriers are currently delivering blood samples.

"Switching to drone deliveries will have significant environmental benefits by removing carbon emissions and reducing traffic congestion," he said.

He added lightweight commercial drones like Wing’s, which run on electrical energy, can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 99% compared to nonelectric cars and reduce transportation electricity needed compared to electric delivery vans.

In addition to flight-related considerations, Apian works to ensure the strict controls often required by medical products (such as temperature regulation and secure chain of custody) are met by adhering to relevant healthcare and aviation regulatory requirements.

These regulations are implemented to maintain the integrity of blood samples during transportation and ensure safe delivery.

"This includes implementing temperature management systems, tracking mechanisms and system integrations," Jeilani said. 

He added that the company would ensure these controls are met through a validation process, temperature management system, tracking mechanisms and system integrations.

THE LARGER TREND

Wing is a subsidiary of Google's parent company, Alphabet. 

Other companies working in the drone delivery space in healthcare include Amazon Pharmacy, which last year announced the launch of free drone delivery for prescription medications in 60 minutes or less for eligible customers in College Station, Texas. 

Earlier this year, instant logistics and delivery company Zipline announced that its urban drone delivery system, Platform 2, would be used by Mayo Clinic facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota, to deliver items to patients of the medical center's hospital-at-home program.