OBJECTIVE  Based on the analysis and research of the basic situation of World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for Children(WHO EMLc), and considering the local pharmaceutical market in China, compare the similarities and differences between WHO EMLc and National Essential Medicine List(2018 edition) in terms of drug varieties, drug dosage forms, drug specifications, and antimicrobial drug categories, and put forward suggestions for the formulation of Chinese essential medicines list for children.

METHODS  Comparative analysis was used to study the specific drug varieties, dosage forms and specifications of the above two catalogues.

RESULTS  According to drug varieties, drug dosage forms, drug specifications and drug marketing in China, antimicrobials in the 2 catalogs was divided into 6 categories.

CONCLUSION  It is recommended to base on the scope of drugs included in NEML, comprehensively analyze the comparison results between WHO EMLc and NEML. Priority should be given to including drugs currently listed in the two categories and drugs with clear evidence of clinical use that their benefits outweigh the risks when applied to children in the list of essential drugs for children in China. At the same time, based on the existing safety evidence of children’s medication, we will screen out drug varieties that are not suitable for children in NEML, and consider including drugs that are included in WHO EMLc but not included in NEML in China’s "Encouraged Research and Development of Children’s Drug List", effectively improving the accessibility of children’s medication and improve the drug use policy system for children in China.