PLA Daily 2003-05-19

　　A new drug for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been approved to carry out clinical testing on May 9.

　　Having obtained approval from the State Drug Administration, the drug, identified as the suspension of bioactive on pig lungs and suspensoid agent has been developed by the Second Military Medical University and is now in the clinical testing stage.

　　It is believed that the new drug will improve lung compliance by reducing the tension of the alveolus, promoting air exchange, and preventing atelectasis and pulmonary edema.

　　The drug can be inhaled by patients directly into their lungs after it is mixed with oxygen.With this new drug, the patients can emancipate from intubation and respiratory machines. Also, as the intake efficiency improves, the dosage of drug will be reduced, thereby cutting medical costs.

　　It is reported that the treatment is easy to operate and can be widely used in hospitals at county or district levels.

　　By Zhang Rujin and Wu Liangneng

　　(May 19, PLA Daily)