A new approach is described for increasing the dissolution rates of relatively insoluble powders. It is based on the concept of increasing the surface available for contact with dissolution media. This is accomplished by equilibration of the drug in an organic solvent (e.g., acetone) on an insoluble excipient with an extensive surface (e.g., fumed silicon dioxide). The drugs studied included indomethacin, aspirin, sulfaethidole, griseofulvin, reserpine, chloramphenicol, oxolinic acid, probucol, and hydrochlorothiazide. The effects of pH, wetting agents, and agitation intensity were investigated in some systems. An increased rate of release from the minuscular drug delivery system was observed in all instances.