Objective To understand the basis and status of setting up the dispensing fee at home and abroad, and to ascertain the scope of dispensing service, so as to offer references to the setting up and implement of dispensing fee in China. Methods According to the evidence-based principle, the descriptive method was adopted to demonstrate the basis of setting up the dispensing fee. The different definition, payment mode and standard were compared at home and abroad. Results Separation of prescribing and dispensing was the basis of setting up the dispensing fee. In western countries, the charge of dispensing fee was almost at the same level, though its definition and scope were different among countries. It was more reasonable to determine the level of dispensing fee according to the visiting frequency, compared with the price, the number and the type of drugs in the prescription. Conclusion China’s calculation of dispensing fee should be based on the prescription fee, the cost of drug administration and store. Dispensing fee should be implemented in the pilot hospitals firstly. Institutions providing primary health care services (rural health clinics, community health service centers etc) which follow a policy of “separating revenue from expenditures” may not adopt the dispensing fee temporarily. In urban hospitals, it is advisable to promote the separation of prescribing and dispensing gradually and bring pharmacists to provide prescription auditing, dispensing and advisory services. For retail pharmacies, pharmacists should be gradually fully staffed as one of the necessary conditions for operating. Performance evaluation of pharmacist’s services and pharmacy administration also should be developed.