Advancing UAV implementation for medical supply distribution: a systematic review of current practices and future directions

Abstract

In the healthcare industry, the timely distribution of medical supplies is critical, facing obstacles like traffic and remote access, which Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer as a disruptive solution. This paper provides a systematic review of UAV applications in medical supply distribution, using a structured methodology to identify key trends and themes by reviewing 185 papers. The study identified four main research clusters and benefits, including improved efficiency and speed, enhanced access, and minimized safety hazards. Yet, significant challenges remain, such as regulatory constraints, social acceptance, technological barriers, limited availability of extensive data, and limited emphasis on cost-efficiency and socio-demographic variations. This review concludes by highlighting the significant potential of UAVs to transform medical logistics, indicating future research should focus on field-based studies, addressing technical and regulatory constraints, assessing scalability, considering socio-technical aspects, and ensuring inclusive solutions by utilizing age and gender considerations.