Mayo Clinic Joins Hands with Zipline to Provide Faster Delivery of Medicines in the US

Per the partnership, Zipline’s zero-emission, autonomous drones will enable rapid delivery of necessary medical items.

Mayo Clinic has collaborated with Zipline, a drone delivery and logistics company, to offer drone delivery of medications for hospital-at-home patients.

Per the deal, Mayo Clinic will leverage Zipline's Platform 2 (P2) drone system to deliver medications and supplies directly to patients' homes from its clinic campuses in Jacksonville, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota.

Moreover, Zipline’s zero-emission, autonomous drones will enable rapid delivery of necessary medical items.

If a caregiver identifies an urgent medical need, the drone can transport the required medications and supplies from the hospital to the patient’s home within minutes.

Zipline’s Drone Delivery Collaborations

Mayo Clinic joins a list of other health systems partnered with Zipline for medical deliveries. Zipline has agreements with Cleveland Clinic, Intermountain Health, MultiCare, Michigan Medicine, OhioHealth, and WellSpan. Additionally, retailers such as Walmart are also using Zipline's services.

Last month, Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston partnered with Zipline to launch an instant home delivery service starting in 2026. This service will involve autonomous drones delivering specialty prescriptions and medical supplies directly to patients’ homes.

Intermountain Health has been using Zipline’s P2 drones since October 2022 to deliver prescriptions to patients’ homes in the Salt Lake City metro area. The fixed-wing drones have transported specialty pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications to South Jordan, Utah.

Trend of Drone Delivery in Healthcare

Cleveland Clinic and Michigan Medicine have also made strides in drone delivery services. Cleveland Clinic announced last fall that it would start a drone delivery service in 2025. This service will initially transport specialty medicines and prescriptions from more than a dozen locations across northeast Ohio.

Eventually, the program will expand to include lab samples, prescription meals, medical and surgical supplies, and items for hospital-at-home services.

"This initiative will streamline the delivery of crucial medical items directly to patients, improving accessibility and efficiency," a Cleveland Clinic spokesperson stated.

Michigan Medicine also plans to use Zipline’s drone delivery service to significantly increase the number of prescriptions filled annually through its in-home pharmacy.

UM Health executives indicated that this move aligns with their goal of enhancing patient access to specialty pharmacy services.

Zipline’s Growing Reach

Zipline’s P2 system is now set to operate in 11 states, aiming to serve over 30 million people in the US within the next few years. The company’s technology ensures swift and reliable delivery, which is crucial for medical and healthcare logistics.

This partnership of Zipline and Mayo Clinic aims to enhance patient care and support advanced medical interventions at home by enabling rapid and efficient delivery of medications and supplies.

Other health systems and retailers partnering with Zipline underscore the growing importance and adoption of drone technology in various sectors, particularly in healthcare.