A medication dispensing and compliance monitoring system is described. The system includes a dispenser unit which holds a tray containing an array of sequentially ordered medication canisters and a mobile computing device physically incorporated into the dispenser unit. The mobile computing device, such as a cell phone, acts as a communications link and contains processing, memory, and user interface capabilities of the system. Each medication canister is dispensed by the system at a prescribed time, and contains a single dose of one or more medications. Sensors within the dispenser create data documents times wherein medications are dispensed, which can be uplinked to remote parties, such as healthcare providers, caretakers, and family members. Coupling with patient physiologic monitoring devices is also provided. A novel loading tray for accurately loading a plurality of prescribed medications into each medication canister is also disclosed.
