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New EASAC Statement on Homeopathy

20 September 2017

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PDF icon Homeopathic Products and Practices - Assessing the Evidence and Ensuring Consistency in Regulating Medical Claims in the EU.

EASAC releases new statement: 'Homeopathic Products and Practices - Assessing the Evidence and Ensuring Consistency in Regulating Medical Claims in the EU.'

A new evaluation by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) confirms there is no robust, reproducible evidence that homeopathic products work.

In a new statement, developed by a working group of leading scientists from across Europe, EASAC says that says that there is no robust, reproducible evidence that homeopathic products are effective for any known diseases, even if there is sometimes a placebo effect. Moreover, homeopathy can actually be harmful: by delaying or deterring a patient from seeking appropriate, evidence-based, medical attention and by undermining patient and public confidence in scientific evidence. There are significant implications for public policy, public health, and the regulation of homeopathy in the European Union.

From analysis of the appropriately controlled, verifiable evidence base, any claimed efficacy of homeopathic products in clinical use can be explained by the placebo effect or attributed to poor study design, random variation, regression towards the mean, or publication bias. While the placebo effect can be of value to the patient, there are no known diseases for which there is robust, reproducible evidence that homeopathy is effective. The scientific claims made for homeopathy are implausible and inconsistent with established concepts from chemistry and physics.

The statement recognises the fundamental importance of allowing and supporting consumer choice. But patient choice must be appropriately informed and this raises issues for achieving a standardised, knowledge-based, regulatory framework and sound advertising practices that can apply equitably to all medicinal products, whatever their origins and whatever their mechanisms.  

In addition, homeopathy raises issues of concern for patient informed consent if health practitioners recommend products which they know are biologically ineffective. There are also potential safety concerns for homeopathic preparations because of poorly monitored production methods.

EASAC recommends that:

  • There should be a consistent regulatory requirement for claims for the efficacy, safety and quality of all medicinal products to be based on verifiable and objective evidence, commensurate with the claims being made. The necessity for robust data applies to products for both human and veterinary medicine.
  • Public health system budgets are under increasing pressure. Evidence-based public health systems should not offer reimbursement for homeopathic products and services unless they are demonstrated to be efficacious and safe by rigorous testing.
  • The composition of homeopathic products should be labelled in a similar way to other health products available in the pharmacy (OTC) or elsewhere. That is, the current exceptional labelling permitted for homeopathic products should be replaced by a simple description of the ingredients and their amounts present in the formulation.
  • Advertising and marketing of homeopathic products and services must be regulated to be accurate and clear: advertising claims made for efficacy and safety should not be allowed without demonstrable and reproducible evidence.

To download a copy of the statement please click here

EASAC

EASAC is formed by the national science academies of the EU Member States (including the Royal Irish Academy), Norway and Switzerland, to collaborate in giving advice to European policy-makers. Through EASAC the academies work together to provide independent, expert, evidence-based advice about the scientific aspects of European policies to those who make or influence policy witht he European institutions.

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