Abstract: A system includes a medication dispensing device that is adapted for dispensing a medication to a patient at a predetermined time interval and includes a method for the detection of the timely removal of the medication from the device. When the medication is not timely removed from the device a signal of non-compliance is generated and is received by an alarm system that is adapted to summon help. According to a first embodiment the alarm system places a telephone call to a care-giver or, if the care-giver is unresponsive, to an alternate care-giver who in turn makes contact with the patient. According to a second embodiment the alarm system places a telephone call to a central monitoring station which attempts to make contact with the patient by use of a two-way speaker phone that is included in the alarm system.