A medication dispenser. The dispenser comprises a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user, a memory for storing a minimum dosing interval, a controller for determining whether the user is an authorized user, a belt having medication-carrying slots, a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the dispenser, and a signaling device. The controller activates the signaling device and the sensor only when the minimum dosing interval has elapsed as measured from a last successful user authentication. The sensor is responsive to user biometric information provided any time after activation of the signaling device and the sensor, but not before activation of the signaling device and the sensor. After determining the use is an authorized user, a medication-carrying slot is aligned with the dose opening.
