Homeopathy

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Scientists attack homeopathy move

 

Homeopathy has long been controversial

Britain's leading scientific institutions say changes to the

regulation of homeopathic medicines are putting patients at risk.

In addition, hundreds of doctors and scientists have signed a

statement opposing the rules allowing homeopathic medicines to make

medical claims.

 

The comments have been released as the House of Lords debates the new

regulations.

 

But the drug regulatory agency said the new rules would benefit

patients.

 

This is the first time, since the thalidomide tragedy and the 1968

Medicines Act, that the regulation of medicines has moved away from

the science rather than towards it

 

Lord Taverne

 

In September, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

(MHRA) introduced rules to allow homeopathic remedies to specify the

ailments for which they can be used.

 

In a statement, the Royal College of Pathologists said they

were " deeply alarmed " that the regulation of medicine had " moved away

from science and clear information for the public " .

 

The Medical Research Council said claims should not be made about

efficacy of products without " rigorous and objective evidence " .

 

And the BioSciences Federation warned the MHRA's decision was

of " extreme concern " adding " it seems in this case that the MHRA has

bowed to industry pressure " .

 

In total, 12 national societies have raised fears over patient safety

and accuracy of information, including the Physiological Society, the

British Pharmacological Society, the Society for Applied

Microbiology, the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

 

Sense about Science, which has been collating opinion on the issue,

says 600 doctors and scientists have also signed a statement which

says homeopathic medicines should not be allowed to

make " unsubstantiated health claims " and that the policy is " damaging

to patients' best interests " .

 

Regulation

 

Homeopathy is a system of therapy based on the concept that disease

can be treated with drugs (in minute doses) thought capable of

producing the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself.

 

Under the voluntary scheme, called the National Rules Scheme,

homeopathic products will receive a licence if they can provide data

proving the treatments are safe.

 

But they will not have to produce evidence of efficacy from clinical

trials, unlike conventional medicines.

 

They will also be allowed to indicate what sort of symptoms they can

relieve, although this will be limited to minor ailments such as

colds, coughs and hay fever.

 

To make such a claim, the manufacturers need only show that the

product has been used to treat those particular conditions within the

homeopathic industry.

 

Critics have also been angered by suggestions that the MHRA has been

partly motivated by a desire to boost the homeopathic industry.

 

In its consultation, the MHRA said failure to introduce the new

system would inhibit the industry's expansion.

 

Lord Dick Taverne, chair of Sense About Science, who is taking part

in the House of Lords debate on the regulation change said: " As many

of the medical specialists contacting us have pointed out, evidence-

based medicine has been a major public gain of the 20th Century.

 

" This is the first time, since the thalidomide tragedy and the 1968

Medicines Act, that the regulation of medicines has moved away from

the science rather than towards it. "

 

'Storm in a teacup'

 

But Dr Peter Fisher, clinical director of the Royal London

Homeopathic Hospital said: " The regulations just tidy up the

situation by saying 'this homeopathic medicine has been traditionally

used for' and it brings it into line with the regulations for herbal

medicines.

 

" I think it's a bit of a storm in a teacup, " he added.

 

A spokesperson for the MHRA said: " The National Rules Scheme provides

a significant opportunity to improve consumer information about the

use of homeopathic products on the UK market whilst maintaining

rigorous control over their quality and safety.

 

" The scheme requires that products have patient information leaflets

which are regulated to the same standards as conventional medicines,

ensuring that they are clear and comprehensive. "