Abstract: A secure dispensing system comprising a container (10) arranged to dispense a quantity of a material through a delivery port (40). The system has a locking mechanism to prevent the dispensing of the material and a control device (70) to enable release of the locking mechanism. A key (110) is also provided to allow access to restricted functions of the system. The system will only enable release of the locking mechanism once a user has been authenticated by one or more biometric means of identification. The key (110) may also comprises a biometric means of authentication which must be provided in order to functionalize the key (110).