Drone-based deliveries to take off in Himalayas
Cipla has launched drone-powered deliveries for its critical medicines (cardiac, respiratory and other essential chronic therapies) for hospitals and pharmacies in Himachal Pradesh, India, in partnership with Skye Air Mobility.
The use of drones will support on-time delivery of Cipla’s medicines to chemists and clinics in remote areas, while minimising risks such as delays, temperature excursions affecting cold chain products, and roadside accidents.
Cipla is the first among large Indian pharma companies to adopt drone-based deliveries to facilitate expedited supply to stockists in remote areas.
In its inaugural phase, the company has successfully completed several drone deliveries in Himachal Pradesh covering approximately 50 km distance in under 25 minutes. This has been vital amidst adverse and prevailing weather conditions that have impacted conventional transportation routes in the state. (cj)