Chinese herbalists say Chinese and Western therapies have proven complementary in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and integration of the two will prolong AIDS patients' lives.
"Traditional herbal medicine can enhance human immunity and ease many symptoms of HIV/AIDS, while Western medicine has a stronger anti-virus effect," said Wang Jian, an AIDS prevention and treatment specialist at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He said Chinese medicine is believed to be more effective in treating early-stage HIV/AIDS, and combined therapies can be tailored for different patients at different stages. "Such therapies will enjoy massive potential in the Chinese as well as world markets."
The academy has worked out a new anti-AIDS formula, Zhongyan II, which was approved by the State Food and Drug Administration in June to be used for clinical trial, said Liang Jusheng, vice director of the academy.
Liang said the academy has sold the formula to Shanghai Sanxiang Biotech Co - the first pharmacy dedicated to the development of anti-AIDS drugs in China - for 6.08 million yuan (US$750,180).
The privately owned pharmacy has also launched the country's largest research, development and production base for anti-AIDS drugs in central Hunan Province, according to Liang.
As the side-effects and high costs of Western medicine have discouraged many patients from seeking treatment, worldwide experts have come to realize the milder, yet healing power and cost-effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine.
(Xinhua)