Recommendation – Homeopathy Gone From The NHS! #Evcheck

by podblack on February 22, 2010

“MPS URGE GOVERNMENT TO WITHDRAW NHS FUNDING AND MHRA LICENSING OF HOMEOPATHY”

Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy: Fourth Report of Session 2009–10 [PDF]

In a report published today, the Science and Technology Committee concludes that the NHS should cease funding homeopathy. It also concludes that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should not allow homeopathic product labels to make medical claims without evidence of efficacy. As they are not medicines, homeopathic products should no longer be licensed by the MHRA.

Here’s the blog-round up so far – add another to the comments for inclusion.

MPs urge government to stop NHS funding, and MHRA licensing, of homeopath – DC Science.
The Evidence Check on Homeopathy – a merciless punch to its vitalist organs (despite attempts to water down report) – Gimpy’s Blog
The Bleakest Day for Homeopathy – Quackometer
Parliamentary Sci Tech Committee on Homeopathy – Bad Science
UK Government recommends public funds pulled from homeopathy – Australian Skeptics
Homeopathy and Pharmacy – Black Triangle

BBC News – NHS money ‘wasted’ on homeopathy

Before the report was sent out, there’s a few notable blog-posts:

Gimpy’s blog – summary of the forthcoming Evidence Check report on homeopathy from the House of Commons.

Prof. Bruce M Hood (over at the excellent site ‘Supersense’ – get the book!) in his post Homeopathy No Longer Available On The NHS argues that

* First, it works… not because of any supernatural mechanism of sympathies and infinite dilutions. People who believe in it get better.

*Second, some of the established medicines, most notably SSRI anti-depressants also work not much better than the placebo effect according to recent meta-analyses which throws a spanner in the works somewhat.

* Third, paying for something makes it more effective than free treatments. (I am reminded about the fact that a £16,000 bomb-detector is considered more effective than one that is made from a coat-hanger).

* Finally, the way the NHS is going, soon we will all! be directly paying for our treatments, one way or another through various health plans etc. So while this may be a victory for evidence-based medicine, I do not think it will disappear.

I even noticed that Dr Richard Wiseman ‘tweeted’ in response ‘isn’t there an economic benefit to giving people placebos’?

News reports include:

Mail Online - Homeopathy should not be funded on the NHS, say MPs

The Telegraph – Homoeopathy should not be funded on the NHS, says report by MPs

The Independent: Philip Hensher: H omeopathy is a waste of NHS money

The Mail again: Prince Charles ‘backed homeopathy in secret talks with ministers’

Make Me Purr - Click To Tell Others! These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.