Problems about performance of the essential medicine system based on the Smith-Model

To study performance problems found in China's essential medicine system. The Smith-Model of system implementation was called into play in a systematic collation and analysis for the ideal policies, system implementation agencies, target groups and policy environment in its performance, along with relationships among the four factors. The system is found with a number of loopholes as the system itself is highly idealized, its system objectives set inappropriately, problems found with the four factors, and "tension" and "conflicts" among these factors. Given these problems found in its performance, it is inappropriate to make drastic changes to avoid instability of the system at its early stage. Government departments in question are advised to comprehensively analyze the four factors and their relationships then taking effective measures to deal with them and the "tension", "conflict" among them. This can ensure effectively implementation of the essential medicine system. Key words: Smith-Model; Essential medicine system; Policy implementation