Abstract: A medicant dispenser comprises a valve with an actuator movable between a valve closed and a valve open position and through which medicant is selectively released and a device for detecting that medicant has been released. The device comprises a light generator for emitting a beam of light, a sensor for sensing light emitted from the light generator and a counter coupled to the sensor for receiving a signal therefrom and for counting dispensation of the medicant. The sensor is arranged to switch the counter to an operating condition on receipt of light emitted from the light generator. The light generator and the sensor are positioned such that medicant being dispensed interrupts the light beam emitted from the light generator thereby provoking a further signal from the sensor. The counter is arranged to detect variations in the further signal from the sensor indicative of dispensation of the medicant.