Studies have been performed to investigate whether controlled morphology can be used to influence drug release from bioresorbable polymer matrices. The effect of biaxial and uniaxial orientation of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) on the release of two model active pharmaceutical ingredients was studied. Drug and polymer combinations were produced by twin screw extrusion and then extruded into sheet or rod geometries. Sheets were oriented at a temperature above Tg using a biaxial stretching unit, to different stretch ratios. The effect of orientation and crystallinity on drug release from the surface of oriented sheets was quantified by dissolution. Cylindrical rods were oriented uniaxially by die drawing, to different draw ratios. Drug release along the drawn axis was compared to that achieved laterally. Results showed that both crystallinity and molecular orientation had a significant influence on drug release, indicating that directionality of release could be controlled in implants or other drug delivery forms.