The drugs will be stored at Zipline’s distribution center, Kamal said. Magellan pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will load the medication onto the drone for delivery, and use Zipline’s software to track and monitor the drone from launch to drop-off. He added that the accuracy of drone delivery of packages is about two parking lot spaces.

Receiving medication by drone will not cost more members.

“When you consider the overall health care cost-benefit of keeping patients on medication, I think … it’s not just positive [return on investment]”We’re going to keep track of these things to make sure we prove our hypothesis.”

Magellan Rx plans to track medication adherence and ask for feedback on the patient experience during the first phase of implementation, which will focus on delivering specialty medications. Kamal said the department plans to expand into other states as Zipline builds new distribution centers and works with the FAA to gain approval.

Kamal declined to disclose financial details of its partnership with Zipline.

According to the press release, Magellan Rx is the first pharmacy benefit manager to offer specialty and traditional medicines through Zipline. Zipline, with Raised $483 million Since 2014, blood and other medical supplies have initially been shipped to remote areas in Rwanda and Ghana. It has since partnered with the U.S. health system.

Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, early in the COVID-19 pandemic pat Zipline supplies personal protective equipment and medical supplies to its facilities. Walmart in 2020 cooperating Teaming up with Quest Diagnostics and drone company DroneUp to try home delivery of COVID-19 tests.