PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drug dispenser which can dispense drugs one by one.SOLUTION: The drug dispenser comprises a cassette 2 wherein drugs are accommodated in line, a bias means for biasing the drugs of the cassette 2 toward one end and a dispensing member fitted at one end of the cassette 2, the dispensing member capable of dispensing the drugs one by one by rotating while holding the drugs in holding recessed parts, and a drug-number-detecting means for detecting the number of drugs in the cassette 2. The drug-number-detecting means comprises a sensor which detects a position of biasing by the bias means in an initial state where no drug is housed in the cassette 2, and an encoder which detects a change in the bias position of the drugs through the bias means by storage of the drug in the cassette 2 from the initial state where it is detected by the sensor.COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT【課題】薬剤を1つずつ払い出すことが可能な薬剤払出装置を提供する。【解決手段】薬剤が整列して収容されるカセット2と、カセット2内の薬剤を一端側に向かって付勢する付勢手段と、カセット2の一端部に設けられ、薬剤を保持凹部に保持して回転することにより1つずつ払い出す払出部材と、カセット2内の薬剤の数量を検出する薬剤数検出手段とを備え、薬剤数検出手段は、カセット2内に薬剤を収容していない初期状態での付勢手段による付勢位置を検出するセンサと、センサで検出される初期状態からカセット2内に薬剤が収容されることにより付勢手段による薬剤の付勢位置の変化を検出するエンコーダとを備える。【選択図】図1
