Cardinal Health, the $165-billion global healthcare distributor and manufacturer, opened its global tech hub in Bengaluru in April this year. The launch of Cardinal Health International India (CHII) as a new global capability centre, according to the company, is a step towards providing more innovative healthcare solutions and enabling digital transformation. Cardinal Health has invested $8 million in CHII, which plans to acquire local talent and function as a global hub for digital skills and delivery. The firm currently has around 400 employees and plans to expand to over 600 by the end of this year. CHII will also support enterprise-level digital transformation initiatives across Cardinal Health.

Cardinal Health has invested $8 million in CHII, which plans to acquire local talent and function as a global hub for digital skills and delivery. The firm currently has around 400 employees and plans to expand to over 600 by the end of this year. CHII will also support enterprise-level digital transformation initiatives across Cardinal Health. With its core focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and analytics, CHII has been instrumental in helping Cardinal Health develop robust healthcare systems in terms of delivery, outcomes and reduced costs. Business Insider India caught up with Nagaraj Bhat, VP & MD, CHII, to talk about digital transformation in the healthcare sector, how the industry can address the digital talent gap and the potential of AI in healthcare.

The program is Cardinal Health's first foray into drone deliveries, which the Dublin, Ohio-based distributor sees as a way around delays in restocking inventory and volatile last-minute shipping prices. It follows other efforts by companies including United Parcel Service Inc., Merck & Co. and Walmart Inc. testing the use of drones for the domestic shipment of medical products and supplies. Josh Dolan, Cardinal Health's senior vice president of pharmaceutical operations, said drone delivery would allow the company to bypass road obstacles such as natural disasters and help replenish high-turnover items. Eventually, he said, it will be useful for emergency situations in remote areas or when time is crucial, such as delivering antivenom for snake bites. While speed and reliability are the main reasons Cardinal Health is pursuing drone delivery, the flights would also allow the company to avoid fluctuations in prices for last-minute courier or helicopter deliveries, Mr. Dolan said.