Provided is a coated medical device (e.g., a stent) comprising one or more surfaces having dispersed thereon a plurality of microparticles comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and a polymer. Specifically, the microparticles are disposed on a device surface in a microparticulate phase coating, i.e., as discrete microparticles in the absence of a continuous phase coating. The medical device effectively adheres one or more APIs to its surface, and allows controlled release of the APIs from the device surface to a desired treatment area by using a minimal amount of polymer. The medical device is suitable for insertion or implantation into a subject, preferably a human. Also provided are methods for preparing and using the coated medical device.