A Franz diffusion cells system was used to determine the release rate profile of clindamycin phosphate. Different types of liposomes containing clindamycin phosphate were prepared and the steady-state release of the drug, through a semipermeable synthetic membrane, was determined. The highest retention of clindamycin phosphate was seen from a suspension of multilamellar liposomes containing 1% clindamycin phosphate. Hydrogels, of acceptable consistency for topical use, were developed and used as carriers for a suspension of reverse-phase liposomes containing clindamycin phosphate. Increased penetration of clindamycin phosphate through a hairless mouse skin from a liposomes-containing vehicle compared with the permeation of the drug in a phosphate buffer was not observed.