Abstract: A dispensing device and a method for dispensing liquids, in particular liquid medicaments, to persons, has a liquid-filled container an opening for dispensing the liquid at one end. A holder for holding an injection needle for injection of the liquid from the container are provided in the area of the opening. A measurement system determines a measured value, and a processing unit determines a parameter value, associated with the container, based on the measured value. At least one detection element is present at the opening and connected to a needle detection circuit. The needle detection circuit measures an electrical characteristic variable that can be picked up at the output of the detection element. The measurement result is fed to a processing unit, which calculates the parameter value and keeps it available at its output.