OBJECTIVE： To propose policy recommendations for China to solve medicines shortage fundamentally.  METHODS： The causes of medicines shortage in China were analyzed. Chinese， American， Canadian and European literatures and the government website of typical countries about responses to medicines shortage since 2010 were searched and reviewed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： Medicines shortage in China are due to regulation and policy changes and unfair competition. Both China and foreign countries face the problem of medicines shortage to some extent， either due to demand side or supply side. It is necessary to improve related laws and regulations to deal with medicines shortage， establish multi coordinative mechanism， shortage monitoring system and information and communication network platform with the patient-centered approach， leave reasonable profit for pharmaceutical production and distribution enterprises and crack down hoarding of raw materials. The experiences of typical countries in defining clear responsibility for each stakeholder in the medicines supply chain， establishing comprehensive policies and coordinative mechanisms in response to medicines shortage are valuable for China to follow.