A pellet loading apparatus has a pellet housing configured to receive and hold a plunger so that a cavity is formed by an interior surface of the pellet housing and the plunger. A pellet is located or formed in the cavity. A dispensing chamber housing is located in a disposable drug delivery device. The dispensing chamber housing is configured to couple with the pellet housing so that the plunger and the pellet can be loaded into the dispensing chamber housing.