Prescriptions via drone delivery
It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel.
The region's residents will soon be able to get their medial prescriptions delivered by drone, courtesy of Lucy Walker and the team from the Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy in Goondiwindi and some special partners.
In what will be a first for regional Australia, the Goondiwindi pharmacy is trialling a remote delivery service via drone. It will be flown by a pilot in Melbourne. If you would like to take part contact Lucy during business hours on 07 4671 288. For the time being only those on rural properties are eligible.
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The project is being undertaken in partnership with Melbourne-based company Swoop Aero and Australia's largest healthcare wholesaler, Symbion which will fund the cost of the initial deliveries. Goondiwindi pharmacist Lucy Walker took centre stage across Australia as she became the face of the launch. Interviews across the media spectrum, from the Sydney Morning Herald to SBS, came thick and fast on Monday. Her message was a peek at life in the bush for city cousins.
"Many of my customers live on farms or small towns in outlying areas. In some cases a visit to our pharmacy to collect their vital medicines may mean a three-hour round trip,"Lucy said. "With the ability to service people within a 130km range of Goondiwindi, this drone trial will provide enormous convenience and peace of mind for many," she said.
It's been a fast-learning curve for Lucy.
"My husband (Andrew) is a pilot and enjoys flying model aeroplanes and drones but I knew very little about their capabilities before learning what Swoop Aero is doing overseas already." Swoop uses drones to deliver medical supplies in African nations such as Mozambique and Malawi.
And it's not the first time that Lucy's pharmacy has had an "Australian-first".
As the Goondiwindi team prepares to roll out the drone technology, a new robot has already taken a "starring" role at the pharmacy. The, as-yet-unnamed new "worker", joins existing robot, medical dispenser, "Spenser".
"We are the first in Australia to have the SynMed blister packing machine. I saw it when I was in Canada on the Churchill Fellowship and the technology exceeds what was currently in Australia," Lucy said.
But for now it's the drone which has captured Australia's imagination and with good cause.
"Not only is this a very convenient option for the delivery of medicines for those living outside of ready access to their pharmacy but, as we saw during the terrible bushfires in Australia last summer, there were cases where road access to some homes and towns was completely shut off," Symbion CEO Brett Barons said.
"To have a drone to provide deliveries of medicines could be of critical importance in situations where accessibility is limited."
"The drone will fly in and out of a central point in Goondiwindi with the flight path fully automated and approved by CASA (Australia's aviation regulator), deliver the customer's products, then return to base ready for its next job. After a little training, it is very easy to operate," Eric Peck, CEO at Swoop Aero
Reaching speeds of 115kmp/h, the drone can withstand extremes in weather including 50kmp/h winds and heavy rain. It has a range of 130km on a single charge, ensuring it can reach anyone living within that radius of Goondiwindi.
"We can experience extreme weather conditions in Queensland especially during the summer storm season with occasional flooding and road closures. The drone will provide a safe, convenient option to deliver medicines and most importantly ensure people in regional areas are serviced just as well as those living in town. I'm really excited for the residents of Goondiwindi and the surrounding region", Lucy said.
Swoop Aero is currently working with CASA and the relevant State Authorities to ensure all requirements are met, with the launch of the service remaining subject to regulatory approvals.