The invention provides a drug delivery system in which a drug or another active substance is delivered from the surface of an inactive, placebo carrier. The system uses a placebo tablet carrier having a concavity or multiple concavities in the top surface for receiving a drug. After manufacture of the placebo tablet carrier, a dosage of the drug in liquid or semisolid form is deposited in the concavity and solidifies as a dot or disk on the tablet surface. Thus, the drug is carried on the surface of the tablet and is not part of the tablet bulk. The drug delivery system is particularly useful for delivery of low dose (i.e. potent) drugs, for delivery of multiple doses of a drug, or for delivery of multiple types of drugs. Additionally, the invention provides methods for preparation of the inventive drug delivery systems.
