Despite media reports to the contrary, Canada’s first-ever drone flight to deliver pharmaceuticals to Salt Spring Island actually originated in Crofton, not Duncan.
The pharmaceuticals came from the London Drugs store in Duncan, but the flight across the water originated from the boat launch in Crofton on Aug. 19.
History was made in the Cowichan Valley on Aug. 19 where a London Drugs trailer was seen at the boat launch.
The flight, a partnership between London Drugs, Canada Post and Salt Spring Island-based InDro Robotics, is seen as heralding a revolution in how some things are transported in the country, especially in rural areas.
Canada Post was selected along with InDro Robotics in 2018 to participate in Transport Canada’s BVLOS Drone Trials.
The proposal focused on testing BVLOS capabilities over open water and partnering to test the delivery of prescription medications to remote areas - not that Salt Spring can actually be considered very remote.
There were three parts to the trial-drone runs on Aug. 19, including delivery of an Epinephrine pen and Narcan, leaving London Drugs’ mobile facility in Duncan to the Country Grocer store on Salt Spring Island, as well as direct, pinpointed delivery to a patient’s home on Salt Spring Island.
“We are proud to have been selected to participate in the first trial of a drone delivery of this kind in Canada,” said Chris Chiew, a spokesman for London Drugs.
“The ability to provide medications to patients in remote areas that would otherwise have to travel hours to obtain pharmacy service is significant in so many ways. In the very near future, we will be able to provide delivery of prescription medications to an abundance of areas not accessible by vehicle.”
The operational data obtained from the trials will be used by Transport Canada to inform BVLOS regulations moving forward in Canada.
As part of the ongoing testing, Canada Post is simulating deliveries over bodies of water, icy roads and challenging terrain to temporary camps and other remote locations.
“The delivery of prescription medications by drone to rural areas will be of great advantage to communities across the country, including northern Canada and, as well, to hospitals in remote communities where drones can land on hospital heli pads,” said Philip Reece, CEO of InDro Robotics.