The idea of Essential Medicines （EMs） introduced by WHO in 1970’s has been accepted globally，based on which most countries have established their own essential medicine lists （EML） as to increase the access to these medicines. China began to frame its EML in 1980s and since then EML has took a key role in the fields of public health and medical insurance. However，the problems of lack of accessibility to the EMs and irrational use are still common in China. Improving the system of essential medicines is one of the hot topics in this round of health system reform. Based on the theoretical exploration and policy analysis of several national essential medicine systems，this report aims to provide some background information for the framework of essential medicines policy in China.