Devices and methods are provided for transdermal administration of a
pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof. The device includes a
substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs in the substrate, one or
more pharmaceutical agents stored in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir
caps that prevent the pharmaceutical agent from passing out from the
reservoirs until desired, control means for actuating release of the one
or more pharmaceutical agents from one or more of the reservoirs by
disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir caps, means for securing
the device to the skin of the patient, and means for transporting the
pharmaceutical agent to the skin following release from the one or more
of the reservoirs. In another embodiment, the device is adapted for
diagnostic sensing instead of or in addition to drug delivery.