It is a glimpse into the future of delivery service on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Last week, a Drone completed a delivery from London Drugs in Duncan to two locations on Salt Spring Island.
It was the first successful Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight drone flight carrying pharmaceuticals in Canada, completed by Canada Post in partnership with London Drugs and InDro Robotics.
The August 19 trial was carried out in three parts and included delivery of an Epi pen and Narcan.
First, the Drone left the London Drugs mobile facility in Duncan and headed to the Country Grocer on Salt Spring Island.
It also completed a pin-point delivery to a patient’s home on Salt Spring Island.
Canada Post was chosen along with InDro Robotics in 2018 to take part in Transport Canada’s trials to determine drone capabilities over open water and partnering to test the delivery of prescription medications to remote areas.
“The ability to provide medications to patients in remote areas that would otherwise have to travel hours to obtain pharmacy service is significant in so many ways,” said Chris Chiew, general manager of Pharmacy, London Drugs.
“In the very near future we will be able to provide delivery of prescription medications to an abundance of areas not accessible by vehicle.”
The operations data from the trials will be given to Transport Canada to use as it works on regulations for Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight drone flights in Canada.
CHEK News
