OBJECTIVES: To classify each of the stakeholders in National Essential Drug System(NEDS) in China by three major attributes: power, legitimacy and urgency. To predict the outcome of the whole system by using the Stakeholder Impact Index (SII). To evaluate the current performances of each main stakeholder and identify definitive stakeholders and dangerous stakeholders. To develope a circular model for NEDS based on indexes collected by Delphi method. METHODS:  A circular model has been developed to map all major stakeholders in the NEDS using quantitative data collected by Delphi method involving 36 experts with experience in implementation of essential drug policy were interviewed.  RESULTS: The central government in the circular model for essential drug system was a dominant stakeholder of the whole stakeholder system. The provincial governments were definitive stakeholders while local governments and medical institutions were dependent stakeholders. Furthermore, media and drug stores were dormant stakeholders, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distribution enterprises were dangerous stakeholders. Patients, community residents and medical insurance programs were discretionary stakeholders. The Stakeholder Impact Index for the NEDS was positive (SIIproj* = 2.72). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicates that the overall anticipation of national essential drug policy is optimistic. Provincial governments, which should be in the position of leading the implementation of essential drug policy, need to be given more autonomy and the constrcution of an experience exchanging platform within provinces in the form of annual symposium, seasonal meeting, learning class or video conferences may accelerate the pace of implementation of national essential drug policy. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distribution enterprises should be taken more seriously care of in order to make sure they follow the policy rather than devastate it for their own benefits. Constructing a fare, balanced and self-sustained bidding platform may be the key solution for preventing such a phenomenon.