BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has fast-tracked the clinical trials of five new drugs for treating COVID-19 based on the discreet review of an expert panel, a senior official with the national medical product regulator said Friday.

The approval for the market launch of drugs used for COVID-19 indications has also been expedited as the scientific study has been basically completed, and they are included in the special research programs for COVID-19 treatment, Chen Shifei, deputy head of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), told reporters at a press conference.

"Some safe and effective chemical drugs and Chinese medicine have been included in the medication prescribed by doctors working on the frontlines," Chen said.

Chinese herbal preparations made by more than 80 medical facilities have been applied in treating COVID-19 patients and proved effective, Chen added.

Traditional Chinese medicine has been applied in treating more than 60,000 COVID-19 patients, accounting for over 85 percent of the total confirmed cases, according to Xu Nanping, vice minister of Science and Technology.

The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine has generated noticeable efficacy, Xu noted.

The NMPA also sent expert panels to offer guidance to vaccine research teams in a bid to ensure safe and effective vaccines can be used in the fight against the COVID-19 as quickly as possible, according to Chen Shifei.