Abstract: A medication dispensing unit comprising a carousel defining a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments adapted to store a dose of medication is disclosed. The dispensing unit also comprises a housing that has a surface adapted to receive the carousel. The housing defines a receptacle and an access aperture that communicates between the receptacle and the surface that is adapted to receive the carousel. One of the compartments is positioned to communicate with the receptacle through the access aperture. The unit also comprises a dosing drawer that is positioned within the receptacle and communicates with the access aperture to receive a dose of medication from the compartment through the access aperture. The dosing drawer includes a normally closed trap door that, when opened, allows a dose of medication in the drawer to drop out of the dosing drawer.