Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

News

Government says public backs homoeopathy despite lack of evidence

BMJ 2009; 339 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b5234 (Published 02 December 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b5234

Rapid Response:

What parliamentary witnesses also said about homeopathy

Adrian O’Dowd’s two articles about the Science & Technology
Committee’s evidence check on homeopathy failed to mention a number of key
responses made by witnesses at the parliamentary hearings. The transcripts
of proceedings can be read at
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/science_technology/s_t....
The following particularly are drawn to readers' attention:

1. There are 24 condition-based systematic reviews of randomised
controlled trials (RCTs) of homeopathy, of which 9 are positive, 5
negative and 10 inconclusive. (Question 112 in transcript)

2. Of a grand total of 87 placebo-controlled RCTs (efficacy trials)
in the peer-reviewed literature, there are 37 where there is positive
evidence for homeopathic medicine; the remaining 50 are mostly non-
conclusive. (Q145)

3. Not all homeopathic medicines are diluted beyond the point where
there may be no molecules of original substance left in solution. (Q123)

4. The Minister for Health Services, Mike O’Brien, considered that
homeopathy is worth further clinical research. (Q199)

5. Because there may be some evidence for its clinical effectiveness,
Mr O’Brien stated that government should not stop NHS funding for
homeopathy. (Q245–246)

6. On medical practitioners of homeopathy, Mr O’Brien stated: “There
is a significant lobby of clinicians who are quite capable of looking at
data and who take the view that [homeopathy] works. […] There is an
illiberality in saying that personal choice in an area of significant
medical controversy should be completely denied.” (Q248)

7. And on patient choice: “We should not take the view that patients
should not be able to have homeopathic medicine when they want it.” (Q248)

In summary: there is some research evidence for the efficacy and
clinical effectiveness of homeopathic medicine; some homeopathic medicines
undeniably have molecular content; the government accepts that further
research in homeopathy is required; government does not support stopping
NHS funding of homeopathy; medical practitioners of homeopathy find it is
effective; patients have the right of choice. It is important to reflect
these facts in forming a balanced judgment of contributions made at the
committee hearings.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

10 December 2009
Robert T Mathie
Research Development Adviser
Peter Fisher (Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, London, WC1N 3HR)
British Homeopathic Association, Luton, LU1 3BE