Abstract: An automatic prescription pill dispensing unit uses a cartridge in which prescription drugs are pre-loaded, preferably by a pharmacist, according to the user's medication regimen. This tamper-proof cartridge can only be unlocked by a pharmacist using a specially designed loading dock, or by inserting the cartridge into the user's dispensing unit. This cartridge approach not only simplifies the loading of the dispensing unit but, more importantly, removes from the caregiver the responsibility of having to handle prescription drugs. The cartridge approach also reduces the footprint size of the original dispensing unit by about 50%. The cartridges can dispense pills up to four times a day for 7 days, and the unit can hold pills from two cartridges, giving 14 days of medication.