A transdermal drug delivery device comprises needles (10) or other means for piercing the skin (4) of a patient to form pores (20) in a predefined pattern; and carriers (12) in the same pattern that may be loaded with a drug (14) for delivery. Means are provided for applying the carriers (12) to the pores (20) to deliver the drug (14) through the pores (20) to a location beneath the surface of the skin (4). The carriers (12) may remain outside the pores (20), be introduced into the pores (20) after the needles (10) have been removed or be inserted alongside the needles (20) while they are still in place.