Secure dispensing apparatus is described which is adapted to dispense e.g. a prescription drug from an axial compression dispensing device (1). This is located in a housing (10) including a dispensing aperture (16). The axial compression dispensing device (1) is located in a central chamber of axial length slightly longer than that of the axial compression dispensing device, and structures (30) are provided at one end of the chamber movable with respect thereto to compress the axial compression dispensing device to cause dispensing via the dispensing aperture (16). The structures (30) comprises a central breakable axial stem (33) attached to a pressure plate (34), the pressure plate having a surface configuration on its side facing away from the axial compression dispensing device providing a set of surfaces (35) not in a plane transverse to the axis of the breakable stem, and apertures (36) in the end of the outer housing aligned with the set of surfaces of the pressure plate and none of the apertures (36) being coaxial with the breakable stem (33). Structures such as a wall (15) are provided to limit the amount of movement of the pressure plate (34) away from the end (11) of the outer housing containing the set of apertures (36).