Infection in the setting of total joint arthroplasty remains a challenging problem. Attention has turned to developing methods of local delivery of antibiotics for prophylaxis. Vancomycin loaded into calcium phosphate ceramic coatings on titanium alloy substrates is a clinically relevant concept in the setting of total joint arthroplasty. Drug loading was accomplished by immersion of ceramic-coated discs in vancomycin-containing simulated physiological solution; in some experiments drug loading by immersion was followed by lipid coating in egg phosphatidylcholine solutions. The kinetics of vancomycin release and the efficacy of drug inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus were determined in vitro in comparison to the release from currently used antibiotic-laden poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The loading by immersion provided effective release and inhibition at early time points (up to 24 h); however, the lipid-coated samples demonstrated significant release and effective bacterial inhibition up to 72 h. The two-step procedure, i.e. drug loading followed by lipid coating in order to slow antibiotic elution, is more effective than the conventional one-step loading. The study indicated that the osteoconductive calcium phosphate coatings have the potential to serve as drug carriers to prevent infection in the setting of total joint arthroplasty.