Mucoadhesive erodible drug delivery device for controlled administration of pharmaceuticals and other active compounds

A mucoadhesive, erodible multi-layered device comprising a first, water-soluble adhesive layer to be placed in contact with a mucosal surface and a second, water-erodible non-adhesive backing layer that controls residence time of the device;

• wherein said first layer comprises at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer in combination with at least one mucoadhesive polymer;
• and said second, water-erodible non-adhesive backing layer comprises a precast film containing at least one of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide co-polymer, said backing layer being coated with at least one hydrophobic polymer, alone or in combination with at least one hydrophilic polymer, such that the backing layer is bioerodible.