Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said Sept. 19 that the company is teaming up with Alphabet Inc.'s Wing Aviation LLC to test drone delivery service in Christiansburg, Va., from October.
The Illinois-based drug retailer plans to deliver orders of food and beverage, medications and convenience items placed through Wing application.
Walgreens noted that prescription deliveries will not be available in this service.
Wing has been working with Virginia Tech in the state to test drone delivery from 2016 as part of the U.S. Transportation Department's Integration Pilot Program since 2016.
"Although currently a pilot in one market, Walgreens is in a unique position to capitalize on the convenience of drone delivery if and when it should expand, with approximately 78% of the U.S. population living within five miles of a Walgreens-owned store," the pharmacy chain said in a release.
In June, Amazon.com Inc. said it will start making autonomous drone deliveries "within months."
