OBJECTIVE： To provide reference for improving related policy and list about medical insurance medicines in China. METHODS： The descriptive analysis method was used to compare 2017 and 2009 edition of Medicine List for National Basic Medical Insurance， Employment Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance in respects of item， medicine classification （including classification code， grading and name）， medicine types （including new type， removed type）， dosage （including new dosage classification， adjusted dosage form）， the limit of payment and use. The trend of its development and the existing problems were discussed. RESULTS： Compared with 2009 edition， 2017 edition of medicine list added the item of “drug classification code” and removed the item of “English name”. The grading of drug classification code was reduced from six grades to four grades. The code and name of four grades classification were in accordance with the first four grades classification rules of the anatomical- therapeutic-chemistry （ATC）. A total of 2 535 types were included in 2017 edition， increasing by 362 types compared to 2009 edition （151 chemical medicines， 211 Chinese patent medicines）. 15 types of chemical medicines were removed， and 4 types were transferred to Chinese patent medicine list； 11 types of Chinese patent medicines were removed， and one type was transferred to chemical medicine list. 2017 edition was actually 20 more dosage forms than 2009 edition， involving 31 types； dosage forms of 231 types were adjusted （143 chemical medicines， 88 Chinese patent medicines）. Chemical medicines of usage and payment restriction increased from 239 to 302， and Chinese patent medicines increased from 72 to 115， respectively. CONCLUSIONS： 2017 edition of list increases the number of medicine， expands the scope of clinical medication and improves the classification structure of the list. The number of medical insurance cost control type shows a growing trend.