PillDrop: Medicines Delivered - Keeping Our Vulnerable Safe

We have all been advised by the Ministry of Health to practice social distancing to minimise risk of COVID-19 community transmission. For people requiring supply of medication particularly our vulnerable groups, PillDrop aims to fulfill their prescription needs without the need to out of their home. For a lot of people, the cost of prescriptions, let alone the delivery is unmanageable during this difficult times.

PillDrop is a full-service digital pharmacy that is licensed by the Ministry of Health to supply and deliver prescription medicine to people’s homes. As a pharmacy, we are an essential service that continues to operate during the lockdown, using our own fleet and a team of dedicated delivery staff delivering medication direct to people’s doorsteps.

The big question is what can we do to really help our greater community?

Standard prescriptions and delivery to under 14s and over 65s at no cost

As part of PillDrop’s community commitment and response to the COVID-19 situation, its service is at no cost for those who are under 14 and over 65 years old and those with pre-existing health conditions who are taking 4 or more medications. This means zero standard prescription fees and free same day home delivery.

PillDrop has been servicing patients discharged from Starship, Auckland, Waitakere and Middlemore hospitals since the lockdown. For people who have recently arrived into New Zealand and require medication during their quarantine period, they have also been offered PillDrop’s supply and delivery services at the airport.

“We know those with underlying conditions are feeling vulnerable right now and the thought of leaving their bubble and going to a pharmacy can lead them to stop taking their medications,” says Suzanne Burge, co-founder of PillDrop. “As a pharmacy we want to do everything we can to keep our most vulnerable at home. We know staying at home saves lives and we want to help people do that.”

How can you help?

PillDrop needs your help to continue to serve the most vulnerable in our communities. The demand for our services has soared. PillDrop has delivered over a thousand parcels since the lockdown, tripled our capacity, and increased our vehicle fleet to expand our delivery capabilities. Since the beginning of lockdown, we have offered free medicines and home delivery service to our most vulnerable groups.

PillDrop has also welcomed several volunteer pharmacists and delivery staff to help our cause.

How much will it cost?

The funding PillDrop receives from District Health Boards covers only the cost of medicines. It was never meant to cover the social side - the delivery itself. The cost of each delivery is $5 for urban areas and $10 for rural areas.

We forecast that we will need to deliver an additional 6,000 parcels over the next ten weeks. We need $30,000 to make this happen. Several pharmacists, delivery staff and admin running our phone lines are volunteering their time to make this happen.

We are a team of dedicated hardworking individuals and want to continue what we do. Your donation will allow us to continue making a difference by reaching the most vulnerable. Thank you for your support.