OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of original and generic drugs for cardiovascular system in Nanjing

and to put forward suggestions for rational drug application and drug cost control in hospitals

so as to provide theoretical basis for policy makers to formulate relevant policies

METHODS: Data were extracted from Jiangsu Institute of Medical Information

and 22 typical drugs for cardiovascular system were selected to analyze the proportion of defined daily dose system（DDDs）

proportion of consumption sum

price ratio and potential cost saving rate of generic drugs replacing original drugs in 62 medical institutions in Nanjing from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019

the average proportion of DDDs for target drugs in 62 medical institutions in Nanjing were respectively 55.24%（319 824 440.25/578 978 334.11） and 44.76%（259 153 893.86/578 978 334.11）

the average proportion of consumption sum was 70.42%（1 723 436 924.96 yuan/2 447 507 962.04 yuan） and 29.58%（724 071 037.08 yuan/2 447 507 962.04 yuan）

and the price ratio was from 0.64 to 6.48

with an average of 1.92 and median of 1.64. Generic drugs could save an average of 150 million yuan per year by replacing the original drugs

and the cost saving rate was 34.75%（598 877 162.06 yuan/1 723 436 924.96 yuan）. CONCLUSIONS: The 22 kinds of cardiovascular system drugs have a small market share in medical institutions of Nanjing. Healthcare providers can save a lot of money by using generic drugs instead of original drugs. Progress in the replacement of original drugs by generic drugs is slow

and it is recommended to speed up the evaluation of consistency of generic drugs

improve the system of replacement of original drugs for generic drugs

adjust the price structure of generic drugs and non-patented original drugs

popularize policies related to generic drugs for medical workers and patients

and promote the replacement of original drugs for generic drugs

so as to save medical expenses.