THE face of medicine dispensing will be transformed at a Northwich chemist when a robot joins the ranks of pharmacy staff.

The Co-op Pharmacy, in Drillfield Road, is getting ready to pilot a technological upgrade that will change the way prescriptions are handed out.

Within the next few weeks NHS patients will be able to collect their medicine courtesy of the 8ft high RoboPharma.

Pharmacist Dan Widdowfield, project manager for the pilot scheme, said patients will present prescriptions at the counter where an assistant will type information into a computer.

The robot, presently known to staff as 'Bob', will then retrieve the drugs through a vending machine-style system, before dropping them on to a conveyor belt.

He said: "I'm really keen to see this up and running. It's the first of its kind in our group and we are piloting it so I hope it's a success.

"Basically it has come about as a result of the new pharmacy contract which means pharmacies can offer more services in order to free up doctors' workloads.

"The RoboPharma will also help to free up my time within the store and by taking me out of the dispensing side of things I can offer consultations, advice on medicines and medicine use reviews. We also offer Primary Care Trust services such as minor ailments and smoking cessation."

Mr Widdowfield, who has been at the Northwich branch for four years, is excited about the scheme and hopes it will be rolled out across the country.

He added: "If it works out well and we decide to roll it out across the Co-op group that will be fantastic for us here in Northwich and I would look forward to being involved in the consultation process."

RoboPharma test dispenses its first prescription on July 3 and will be officially launched on July 17.