OBJECTIVE： To provide reference for promoting rational use of essential medicines. METHODS： Combined with the actual situation of our hospital， a set of risk prevention and control system on essential medicine was constructed on the basis of relevant laws and regulations and support of information， and then implemented. RESULTS： The implementation of the system greatly promoted cognition of all medical staffs on reasonable， economical and safe use of essential drugs， standardized medication behavior and improved essential medicine use more reasonable. After the implementation of risk prevention and control system on essential medicines， medicine ratio of whole hospital decreased from 34.62％ to 32.64％， inpatient medicine ratio decreased from 33.02％ to 27.89％； essential medicine ratio of whole hospital rose from 31.22％ to 43.34％， inpatient essential medicine ratio increased from 23.46％ to 39.17％； the proportion of outpatient antibiotics prescriptions decreased from 15.04％ to 13.46％， the utilization of inpatient antibiotics decreased from 62.11％ to 48.47％. Various early warning were sent out 104 times in total， and 23 medical staff were punished due to irrational drug use. The prescription form and rationality of drug use were improved gradually. CONCLUSIONS： The construction of risk prevention and control system on essential medicine is one of the keys to the success of health care reform. It is suggested to make full use of the “system+technology” means， establish long-term mechanism for risk prevention and control， and constantly improve the system.