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Will homeopathy be blacklisted
SharePeople who criticise homeopathy say that its ‘like cures like’ basis doesn’t work – and that people are being given sugar pills rather than adequate treatment.
The BBC reports that the criticism will be addressed during a consultation some time next year.
How are homeopathic pills made?
Homeopathy involves the use of dilution to provide treatment. Let’s say you have allergies. A pill containing a diluted amount (1 part) of the allergen is mixed with 99 parts of water or alcohol.The substance is then mixed with a lactose or sugar pill. Unfortunately, this process draws criticism from people who say the dilution isn’t enough to treat a particular illness or ailment.
What does blacklisting mean?
If homeopathy were blacklisted, it would be listed as a Schedule 1 drug. This would prevent doctors from prescribing the pills to their patients.Drugs currently on the list have been marked as ineffective or expensive compared to other drugs used for the same symptoms.
On the flip side, experts including Dr Helen Beaumont – GP and president of the Faculty of Homeopathy – say homeopathy has a positive effect on patients and their health.
BBC quotes Dr Beaumont: “Patient choice is important; homeopathy works, it's widely used by doctors in Europe, and patients who are treated by homeopathy are really convinced of its benefits, as am I.”
If homeopathy is blacklisted, homeopathic hospitals will still be able to treat patients. So too will homeopaths, while pharmacies selling over-the-counter homeopathic remedies will also be unaffected.
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