OBJECTIVE:To promote essential drug list into practice.METHODS:Relevant problems on the selection of National Essential Drug List were explored and analyzed.RESULTS & CONCLUSION:There are some problems on coordination of safety and effectiveness of drugs,price and the selection of traditional Chinese medicine.The advantage of first choice of essential drugs is not reflected completely.Large or small problems exist in selection process and individual drug verification.There was low credibility of drug evaluation.On the whole,the selection and formulation of essential drug list should be adjusted and improved continuously to guarantee the requirement of public medication.