By Esther Nakkazi
China has certified three traditional medicines for treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The three Chinese patented medicines－Jinhua Qinggan Granule, Lianhua Qingwen Capsule and Xuebijing Injection prescriptions were developed by the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and have been clinically proven effective for COVID-19 treatment, China media reports.
Jinhua Qinggan Granule was developed during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and is effective in treating mild and moderate COVID-19 patients. Lianhua Qingwen capsule is also effective in treating mild and moderate patients, especially in improving symptoms like fever, cough and fatigue. Xuebijing Injection is used in treating severe and critically ill patients. It can increase the recovery rate and reduce the deterioration rate, the researchers said.
Jinhua Qinggan and Lianhua Qingwen Capsules have their recommended use detailed in China’s Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia.
Li Yu, the director of the Department of Science and Technology at the National Administration of TCM said they have enacted a task force charged with advancing TCM research – this will target medium and long term mechanisms of integrating traditional Chinese Medicine and western medicine for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
“After more than two months of clinical research, we have chosen the three medicines out of hundreds of TCM medicines that are effective in treating cold and flu,” he said. “By introducing the medicines abroad, we hope that they can save more people as the pandemic continues to worsen globally.”
Wang Rongbing, director physician with Beijing Ditan Hospital, said the prescription has been used at 28 provincial regions in treating COVID-19 patients in all stages with various symptoms, yielding good outcomes.
Wang said of the 1,265 confirmed cases in 66 designated hospitals in 10 provincial regions that have used the Xuebijing Injection none has shown worsened symptoms with 99% of patients discharged by March 23, Wang said at a news conference.
The Chinese government has acknowledged the important role TCM has played in treating COVID-19 patients and has added treatment of the virus to the specifications of three traditional medicines.
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