Abstract: The external use of traditional Chinese medicine has attracted wide attention at home and abroad because of its remarkable curative effect, convenient use and small adverse reactions, especially in the foreign market. However, with the rapid development, there are some key problems in the external use of traditional Chinese medicine. In this case, based on the analysis of the present situation of external use preparations of traditional Chinese medicine and the modern clinical application and research of external use of traditional Chinese medicine, the author puts forward three main problems existing in external use of traditional Chinese medicine: the theory of external use of traditional Chinese medicine needs to be improved, a lack of partial normative system, clinical data analysis and summary and clinical application of new topical preparations of traditional Chinese medicine. The possible solutions are put forward, that is, to establish a theoretical system and normative system to guide the external use of traditional Chinese medicine, enrich the efficacy of existing external use traditional Chinese medicine, organize professionals to mine, summarize and analyze clinical data, cultivate professionals and strengthen the construction of external use platform of traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide reference for the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine dosage forms and clinical safe drug use.