The effects of the addition of Pluronic F127 (PF127) at different concentrations to diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA) Emulgels on the diffusion through cellulose membrane at 25 and 37°C and permeation across human epidermal membrane (HEM) at 32°C were examined using Sartorius and Franz diffusion cells, respectively. Viscosity of the different Emulgels and partition coefficient of DDEA in the stratum corneum (SC) were determined. Viscosity measurements indicated that the Emulgel components did not prevent the thermogelling formation of PF 127. Both the diffusion and permeation rates decreased as PF 127 percent increased. Positive activation energy (Ea) of diffusion was observed for Emulgels containing PF 127 up to 20% w/w supporting the significant role of microviscosity, while 30% w/w PF 127 showed negative Ea value indicating the dominant retardation effect of macroviscosity. Anomalous HEM permeability profile was observed with 30%w/w PF 127 Emulgel. The high partitioning of DDEA in the PF 127 micellar phase relative to SC suggests that the addition of PF 127 to the Emulgel in an optimum concentration may be used as a micellar reservoir from which DDEA is released and controlled.