Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pills wherein a rotating annular element includes a number of compartments for receiving pills. When a compartment is above an opening in the base, the pills fall into a chute and are dispensed. A pin is associated with each compartment and is placed in an activated position when pills are loaded into the compartment. When the compartment is above the dispensing opening, a pin engages a microswitch which activates audio and visual alarms. The alarms are deactivated by depressing a shut-off switch which operates a delay-type relay. A trapdoor is rotatably mounted beneath the dispensing opening and is operated by the lid of the apparatus so that in the loading position, the dispensing opening is locked.