Last-mile delivery services finally reaches the health care sector
The benefit of last-mile delivery is that medications can be delivered the same day following discharge from the hospital, a telemedicine visit or other medical appointment.
Hampr, a Lafayette, LA-based start-up announced that they have entered the last-mile delivery service business with the launch of Presto Health, currently in the pilot phase. Meanwhile, Uber, already dabbling in medical transportation services for patients, has announced it will be entering the prescription delivery service.
Last-mile delivery service, the logistics of moving products from a transportation hub to the final destination, the customer, is the latest trend coming into the health care space as it continues to evolve with the addition of telemedicine and other trends. Particularly, the aging population will result in more Baby Boomers who may be unable to leave their home on a regular basis to pick up a prescription and would benefit greatly from on-demand delivery.
Related: Coming soon? Pharmacy kiosks offering prescription drugs
With their launch planned by the end of this year in Lafayette, La., the Presto Health service, with direction and support from Lafayette General Health (LGH) will deliver same day prescriptions from Lafayette General Medical Center to patients in the local service area.
The benefit of last-mile delivery is that medications can be delivered the same day following discharge from the hospital, a telemedicine visit, primary care visit, visit to the ER, urgent care or a clinic. “The possibilities are endless,” said Laurel Hess, founder and CEO or hampr.
“When we were approached by LGH to deliver prescriptions, we realized that what we actually built was a world-class, flexible last-mile delivery platform perfectly suited for a variety of use cases.” Said Hess. According to the company, the opportunity for this type of last-mile delivery service can also extend beyond pharmacy delivery to phlebotomy, medication transportation, small durable medical equipment, and more.
And, hampr is no stranger to delivery services. When hampr launched in January 2020, they offered an on-demand mobile app for laundry delivery services.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to support and springboard a local start-up, it’s a win-win all around. We get to help shape and direct our delivery partner, improve the local economy with job creation and help Lafayette diversify further into the healthcare and technology industries,” said Cian Robinson, Executive Director of Innovation, Research, and Real Estate Investments for Lafayette General Health Systems.
As for Uber, it’s partnering with another on-demand prescription platform, NimbleRx, which currently partners with pharmacists in 34 states.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that people get their medications safely and efficiently, and over the last several months we have seen a significant increase in demand for prescription delivery from both consumers and retail pharmacies,” said NimbleRx founder and chief executive Talha Sattar. “It’s really and truly on-demand.”
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