2.2. Data collection and analysis of individual country

Besides data mentioned in 2.1., the official law documents for the registration of HMs in the national drug regulatory authority and related guidelines for COVID-19 in selected countries were identified from the following websites: GOV.CN; National Health Commission of China; National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; US Federal Food and Drug Administration; Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India; GOV.UK; Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, UK; Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health; Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran; Korea Food and Drug Administration; Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Germany; Italian Ministry of Health; European Medicines Agency; Guidelines International Network; and Evidence Aid. The keywords combination, such as “COVID” AND “guideline” OR “guide” AND “traditional medicine” OR “herbal medicine”, and the combination of “herbal medicine” OR “herbal drug” OR “herbal product” AND “registration” were used to search related documents. The inclusion and exclusion criteria used for the data screening in this part are presented in Table 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria used for the data screening and analysis.