In most of the pharmacies surveyed (79.2%, valid n=72), the robotic dispensing machines were installed at the time the pharmacy was established. Subsequent installation incurs more costs as a result of rebuilding measures and the need to remove existing drawers. Thus the cost of installation is about 12,000 euros if the dispensing machine is installed at the time the pharmacy is first opened, compared with more than double that for subsequent installation. Of the pharmacies with an annual sales volume of more than 2 million euros, 91% installed the robotic dispensing machine in the beginning; this is the case for only 60% of pharmacies with an annual sales volume of less than 2 million euros.
Of the pharmacies surveyed, 68% were located in towns with a population of more than 20,000, predominantly in the town centre (38%) or suburbs (31%).