Abstract: A tablet dispenser is described for dispensing tablets from individual packets into a small reaction chamber without contamination. The dispenser has a top shaft, and a thumb piece in which a cutting blade is engaged, the thumb piece being slidably mounted on the shaft. There is also provided a plate having a hole adapted to allow the blade to pass therethrough, the plate being connected to the top shaft by a support member, and a bottom shaft extending underneath the hole and in line with the cutting blade and top shaft. The bottom shaft is connected to the plate. Also provided is a clip for holding a package containing a tablet on top of the plate so that the package can be positioned to align the tablet over the hole and in the non-cutting path of the blade. When the thumb piece is depressed the tablet is released from the package and falls down the bottom shaft and into a reaction vessel placed below the bottom shaft.