The first automatic dispensers or ‘robots’ were developed in Germany in the mid-90s and were displayed for the first time by Rowa and Willach at the Expopharm in Munich – the biggest pharmacy show in Europe.

1. 6 Important Facts That You
Should Know About
Automated Medication
Dispenser

2. Fact 1: The first automatic dispensers or
‘robots’ were developed in Germany in the
mid-90s and were displayed for the first time
by Rowa and Willach at the Expopharm in
Munich – the biggest pharmacy show in
Europe.

3. Fact 2: It was a
machine which
stored each
medication in a
designated spot or
compartment.

4. Where this place was inside the machine
was determined by the machine’s brain,
based on algorithm designed to use the
storage space in an optimal way but
seemingly ‘chaotic’ to the layman.
This is the reason why the term ‘random’ or
‘chaotic’ robot stuck with this type of
machine.

5. Fact 3: The German, Austrian and Swiss
markets differed from other European
markets such as France, Netherlands, UK,
Spain or Scandinavia.
The product portfolio was much narrower
(<2500 types of medication), with a high
stock turn per medication and a typical 80/20
ratio in revenue generation.

6. This led to a
different type of
machine called the
‘channel robot’,
which stores up to
10 packages of the
same medication
in one channel.

7. Fact 4: Both concepts – chaotic and
channel technology – were developed
simultaneously due to the different
requirements of the respective markets.
The concept of automated dispensing took
off slowly in Europe and didn’t really gain
momentum until approximately five years
after its induction.

8. This changed after the
pioneer installations
proved to be
successful and the
reliability and speed of
the machines
increased dramatically.

9. Fact 5: In the US the technology applied to
achieve the same goals as in Europe is
very different again.
This is largely due to the fact that most
medication is dispensed in customised
packaging and not manufacturer’s packs;
therefore, machines which pick individual
pills and dispense them into sachets,
blisters or vials have been developed.

10. Fact 6: The history
of automatic
dispensers
suggests that there
is no such thing as
the ‘best’ machine.

11. In reality, today the machines of most
manufacturers will reliably pick and
transport the medication to where it’s
needed, as technology has advanced and
matured.
Some vendors offer dispensers which not
only pick but also store, label and even sell
the medications automatically or semi-
automatically.

12. Automated dispensing systems of
medication supports decentralized
medication management with various
features for safety and efficiency in
computer controlled storage.
Visit Pharmacy Automation Systems to find
software for pharmacy like Tech Mate,
Versi Mate & Versi Fill II to fill more
prescriptions in less time.