Could Drones Deliver Your Prescription? MassDOT’s Tests Suggest It’s Possible

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is exploring a future where drones could deliver prescriptions directly to your door. This week, the department announced a series of successful test flights conducted in October 2024, delivering small packages in Lynn and Swampscott. Denise Garcia, acting director of MassDOT’s aeronautics division, told WBUR that the flights aimed to “demonstrate the potential, examine logistics, and help hospitals and health care organizations determine whether or not they wish to use drone medical delivery services in the future.”

Details of the Drone Delivery Test Flights

MassDOT’s tests took place last October in the coastal towns of Lynn and Swampscott. The demonstrations involved three drone deliveries, each carrying packages weighing up to 10 pounds over a distance of at least one mile. These flights were designed to simulate the delivery of medical supplies, with a particular focus on prescriptions, showcasing how drones could support healthcare logistics in Massachusetts.

Why Drones? Speed and Cost Savings

Garcia highlighted the key advantages of drone deliveries, especially in a traffic-heavy region like Boston. “Drones — hovering above Boston’s traffic-clogged streets — could be a faster, cheaper alternative to ground deliveries,” she explained. This could prove valuable for routine home-based healthcare, such as delivering medications to patients regularly, as well as for emergency responses where time is critical.

What’s Next for Massachusetts?

While the tests were a success, drone deliveries in Massachusetts aren’t ready to take off just yet. Garcia noted that any future operations would require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with potential changes to state regulations or policies. MassDOT has already held preliminary talks with healthcare organizations about using drones, but Garcia emphasized that the decision rests with the industry. “It will be up to the industry to decide whether or not they believe that this is something they would like to pursue,” she said.

A Broader Trend

Massachusetts isn’t alone in exploring drone deliveries for healthcare. Hospitals like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Houston’s Memorial Hermann Health System have announced plans to start using drones for prescriptions and medical supplies in the coming years. Meanwhile, Amazon‘s drone delivery efforts hit a snag when it paused operations in Texas and Arizona in January 2025 after two drones crashed during testing in rainy conditions.

Looking Ahead

MassDOT’s successful tests mark an early step toward integrating drones into Massachusetts’ healthcare system. By demonstrating that drones can deliver small packages efficiently, the department has laid the groundwork for faster, more cost-effective medical logistics. However, with FAA approval still pending and industry buy-in uncertain, the question remains: could drones fill your next prescription? For now, the possibility is up in the air.

Featured photo for illustration purposes only.