The high-tech machine is linked to counters at the front so when a prescription is scanned, the machine finds the medication and delivers it to the customer attendant.

Priceline partner Mark Rugendyke said they made the decision to switch to the machine because it would allow employees to spend more time interacting with customers than working at the back of the store.

Mr Rugendyke said the pressure was on pharmacies to find ways to reduce costs after the Australian government announced changes to the PBS.

In 2013, prescription profits for the pharmacy peaked at $5 a script but it is predicted that next year that will drop to just 18 cents a script.

"It's estimated that it saves 20 seconds per time which doesn't sound like a lot but if you have someone who comes in with several prescriptions it does add up," Mr Rugendyke said.

"The computer is also 100 per cent accurate and it logs use by dates of medication so it will prioritise those with a shorter date to keep stock moving."

The machine was designed in Germany and shipped to Australia in a 40-foot shipping container but takes up just three cubic metres. In that space it stores 95 per cent of Priceline's stock, more than 4400 lines and 1245 different items.

It doesn't come cheap. Mr Rugendyke declined to say how much it cost, other than 'a lot'. But he said it has been interesting to watch the machine work, sort items and dispensing them and customers have also been impressed when he takes them back and show them.

"It really is fun," he said.