Combined micro-channel generation and iontophoresis for transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical agents

A method for transdermal delivery of a pharmaceutical agent to a subject, which comprises:

• generating a plurality of micro-channels in a first region of the skin of a subject, wherein generating the plurality of micro-channels is performed by a micro-channel generating apparatus comprising:
• (i) an electrode cartridge comprising a plurality of electrodes;
• and (ii) a main unit comprising a control unit which is adapted to apply electrical energy between the plurality of electrodes of (i) when said plurality of electrodes are in vicinity of a first region of the skin, enabling ablation of stratum corneum in the first region of the skin beneath the plurality of electrodes, thereby generating a plurality of micro-channels;
• placing a first electrode assembly on said first region of the skin of the subject where the plurality of micro-channels are present, the first electrode assembly comprising a first electrode and an agent reservoir comprising a pharmaceutical agent, the agent reservoir being electrically connected to the first electrode;
• placing a second electrode assembly on a second region of the skin of the subject, the second electrode assembly comprising a second electrode and an electrolyte reservoir, with the first and second electrodes electrically connected to a power supply;
• and
• applying electric energy between the power supply and the first and second electrodes, thereby delivering iontophoretically the pharmaceutical agent through the plurality of micro-channels into the skin of the subject.