Abstract:

Objective: To provide a basis for popularization and promotion of national essential medicine policy through an
investigation of urban and rural residents in Dali Prefecture in cognitive status of essential medicine. Methods: Population
characteristics, access to essential medicine, cognition degree and residents subjective factors were investigated, and the results were
statistically analyzed by SPSS18.0. Results: The residents had a low overall cognition degree of essential medicine. Conclusion:
Improve residents' cognition degree of essential medicine by promoting and popularizing essential medicine system in retail drug stores
and medical institutions as well as strengthening social awareness to the implement of essential medicine policy.

Key words: residents, essential medicine, cognitive status