Polyvinly alcohol( PVA) is a kind of water-soluble polymer,and it is often used as drug carrier for slowing drug release,such as film-forming materials,fiber materials,hydrogels and microshperes. In the paper the characteristics and type of water-soluble poly vinyl alcohol( PVA) and its application in pharmaceutics for slowing drug release are introduced. The research issues and future development of PVA as drug carrier materials for slowing its release are discussed in the review.