Coating useful as a dispenser of an active ingredient on dressings and bandages

The dressings of the invention comprise at least two components: an absorbent substrate having a first skin-facing surface and a second opposing surface; and a discontinuous coating of a semi-solid composition having an ointment-like feel overlying a portion of the first surface of said absorbent substrate. The absorbent substrate is useful as a passive dispenser of at least one active ingredient that may be contained therein. The discontinuous coating is essentially non-adherent to the skin and is useful as an active dispenser of at least one active ingredient that may be contained therein. In preferred embodiments the dressing of the invention contains at least one and more preferably at least two active ingredients intended to provide therapeutic benefit to the skin.