This invention provides a medication dispensing system that instructs the user through visual and audio cues, such as the illumination of individual medication cups that are arrayed in accordance with a daily and weekly schedule in separate orifices within the dispenser body. The core panel defines a constant thickness portion and a ramp portion along which the core panel tapers to a reduced thickness portion. A detector element is fitted in connection with the rod, its angle of rotation corresponding to the current position of the piston. The substrate has a thickness preferably selected on the basis of the greatest height of the electronic component to be mounted.