(Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A leading traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) expert Friday called for stepping up clinical research into integrated TCM as an essential part of China's epidemic response system.

It is necessary to summarize the experience of TCM's use in fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic to prepare for the next outbreak of infectious disease, said Wang Qi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, at a press conference in Beijing.

Stressing updating the diagnosis and treatment protocol for COVID-19 with the combined use of TCM and Western medicine, Wang urged efforts to study the medicinal properties and clinical applicability of prescriptions that had been proved effective in curing COVID-19 patients.

Wang also called for establishing an information-sharing platform to support frontline medical staff.