a medication cassette uses a slidable core having a series of open top medication receiving cells extending in a length thereof . the core slides in an outer sleeve and includes a releasable locking arrangement for maintaining the core in a lock position with the sleeve closing the cells and movable to a release position allowing the core to slide relative to the sleeve . the release position allows the cells to be progressively exposed beyond the sleeve to allow medication to be removed . both the slidable core and the sleeve are preferably made of a plastic material . the core is preferably a single component made by injection molding and the sleeve is preferably made as an extruded component .