On March 2, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granted market approval through special procedures of three traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) drugs -- Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying granules developed by the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dampness Resolving and Detoxifying granules developed by Guangdong Yifang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd and Lung Diffusing and Detoxifying granules developed by Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd.

The three newly-approved drugs were developed from the effective prescriptions Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying Decoction, Dampness Resolving and Detoxifying Prescription and Lung Diffusing and Detoxifying Prescription that were selected by frontline academicians and experts in the fight against COVID-19 in Wuhan after the outbreak of the pandemic. They are also the TCM drugs first reviewed and approved in accordance with the category of "other TCM compound preparations derived from ancient classical and famous prescriptions" in the Requirement on Registration Classification and Application Information of Traditional Chinese Medicines after the reform of TCM's registration classification.

Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying granules are used for epidemics caused by cold, dampness and epidemic pathogenic factors. Dampness Resolving and Detoxifying granules are used for epidemics caused by invasion of dampness in lungs. Lung Diffusing and Detoxifying granules are used for epidemics caused by stagnation of dampness in lungs. These three newly-approved TCM drugs provide additional options for COVID-19 treatment.