A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in an outlet 113 includes a pair of holding members 111 each provided with at least one slope extending from an upper end located within the instrument 1 to a lower end located in the outlet 113, the holding members 111 being designed to receive at the upper ends the vial 9 filled with the tablets and to allow the vial 9 to slide down under its own weight to the lower ends with supporting a flange 9a around an outer periphery of the vial 9.