Not long ago, getting your NHS medication felt like a full-blown quest. A GP appointment on a Monday, a prescription faxed (yes, still faxed) to a pharmacy by Wednesday, and, if the stars aligned, a paper bag of meds by the weekend. All while you shuffle your work, childcare, or just try to get through the week without running out of inhaler puffs.

Let’s be honest: the NHS is brilliant. But like many great institutions, it’s been shackled by legacy systems and ageing logistics. The good news? That’s changing — and tech is quietly (and finally) catching up.

Here’s how tech-driven logistics is flipping the script on NHS medication delivery and saving costs in the process.

Smarter Routing, Fewer Delays

Traditional delivery routes don’t care if someone is stuck waiting at home for critical medication. But intelligent routing does. Tech platforms now optimise driver routes based on urgency, location, and even traffic in real-time. That means fewer missed deliveries, fewer redeliveries, and significantly reduced fuel costs — all of which chip away at NHS spend.

Real-Time Tracking Means Fewer Phone Calls

We’ve all been there: you ring the pharmacy, they tell you the meds were picked up. You call the GP, they say it’s been sent. You wait, and wait, and wait... but with no tracking, you're in the dark. Tech-enabled logistics platforms bring visibility into the whole process. From pharmacy shelf to your front door, real-time tracking not only improves patient confidence but slashes admin costs and call centre chaos.

Less Paper, More Precision

Smart logistics platforms aren’t just about where a parcel is. They also know what’s in it. That means no more hand-written labels, missed doses, or packing errors. Digitised stock systems can flag errors before a delivery driver even loads the van — saving time, reducing medication waste, and avoiding potentially dangerous mix-ups.

A Leaner, Greener NHS

Technology also reduces the environmental cost of medication delivery. Consolidated deliveries, electric vehicle fleets, and route optimisation mean fewer emissions per parcel. The NHS has made public commitments to reach net zero, and smarter delivery is a practical, scalable way to get there faster — without compromising care.

Why It Matters — And What We’re Doing About It

At Onelivery, we're not just delivering medication. We're rebuilding the way it's done. We’ve spent the last few years developing a delivery model that puts patients first, gives local pharmacies superpowers, and eases the operational strain on the NHS.

We're proud to work with pharmacists, healthcare providers and delivery partners who see the future not in bigger warehouses but in smarter, faster, cleaner solutions.

Because medication delivery shouldn’t feel like a maze. It should feel like a service designed around your life — not the other way around.