this invention relates to pharmacologically - active polymeric compounds ; to substrates , such as implantable medical devices formed thereof or coated therewith ; and to methods of using said compounds or said substrates for providing pharmacological agents released in response to in vivo activation at a desired location in a mammal . the polymeric material has a backbone comprising a pharmacologically - active fragment covalently linked through at least two functional groups within the backbone , wherein the backbone comprises , preferably , polyamide , polyurethane and / or polyurea linkages with , optionally , polyester , polycarbonate , polyether and / or polyvinyl linkages . the preferred pharmacological compounds are fluoroquinolines , particularly , ciprofloxacin . the pharmacologically - active compounds provide in vivo enhanced long term anti - inflammatory , anti - bacterial , anti - microbial and / or anti - fungal activity .