UAE: Drone to deliver medicines in Dubai; 2 years of trials will soon become a reality

UAE: Drone to deliver medicines in Dubai; 2 years of trials will soon become a reality

UAE residents could soon start getting their medicines through drone delivery, according to a healthcare leader in the country. Dr Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO of Fakeeh University Hospital (FUH), said that with the importance Dubai places on innovation, it would only be a matter of time before drone delivery of medicines becomes commonplace.

Last month, FUH trailed drone delivery from the healthcare facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) to deliver medicines to a patient's house at Cedre Villas within a 10km radius. The hospital is to continue tests on drone deliveries, but Dr Fatih thinks it could be only a matter of months before this delivery method is available to the wider UAE population.

"For technology adoption, you need the right provider, right government and right consumers," he said. "Dubai has all three. So I think, based on the demand and response we have seen, residents could expect to get their medicines by drones very, very soon."

Trial and error

According to Dr Fatih, the project resulted from two years of trials that saw the cooperation of several entities, including the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Health Authority and the Museum of Future, among others.

"We have been investing in technology since we began,"