Abstract: A polymeric composite coating includes a drug release retardant polymer matrix, and pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore former. The pH-responsive pore formers function to modulate the permeability of the coating in response to pH changes which can compensate any changes in drug solubility with negligible leaching of the pore formers. The pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore formers may also function as alcohol-resistant component to the overall composite coating to resist increased solubility and permeability in presence of alcohol at 40% ethanol concentration in aqueous media. In one embodiment, the drug release retardant polymer is made of cellulose derivatives.