The system is expected to support the delivery of medical supplies, medications, and lab specimens to patient homes and between facilities across multiple markets.
Advocate Health announced it plans to launch a hospital-based drone delivery network to transport prescriptions, home health supplies, and lab specimens across several of its markets.
Through a contract with Zipline, the system is expected to support delivery operations in the Charlotte, Chicago, and Milwaukee regions, with additional expansion planned in Georgia. At full scale, the network is projected to handle more than 100,000 deliveries annually, pending regulatory approvals. Initial deployment is planned for 2027 in the Charlotte market.
The network is designed to support both home delivery of medications and supplies and transport of specimens between hospitals and laboratories, with the goal of reducing turnaround times for lab results.
“Advocate Health is implementing drone technology to deliver medication and health supplies,” said Collin Lane, executive vice president of professional and support services, which includes pharmacy and lab functions. “This technology will ensure patients have access to prescriptions and supplies when they need them.”
The delivery process begins when an order—such as a prescription, lab specimen, or medical supply—is loaded onto a Zipline drone at an Advocate Health site.
The electric drone then flies to its destination, including patient homes or other Advocate Health facilities. Upon arrival, the drone remains airborne while a tethered pod lowers the package to the ground before returning to base.
According to Zipline, its aircraft operate with Federal Aviation Administration approval, include redundant flight systems, and are designed to limit noise and avoid direct interaction with people and obstacles. The company reports it has completed more than 2 million commercial deliveries globally.
Advocate Health said the network is intended to expand access to medications and supplies, particularly in areas where local pharmacy access may be limited, while also improving the efficiency of lab specimen transport across its facilities.
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