A sheath for temporarily protecting the drug coating on the surface of a stent after being mounted on a delivery catheter until just before use. The sheath is configured so as to enable its inner diameter to be temporarily increased to facilitate unrestricted fitment about and removal from the stent. Its inner diameter in its relaxed state is selected to be slightly less that the outer diameter of the mounted stent so as to positively grasp the stent and prevent dislodgement.
