Homeopathy: where is the patient in scientists’ calculations?

 The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has concluded that homeopathy is nothing more than placebo and so should not be provided by the NHS. That is disappointing but not surprising.

But they have left the patient out of their calculations, according to Dr Michael Dixon, medical director for the Prince’s Foundation for Integrate Health.

For patients suffering from long term disease, where no scientific, evidence based medicine can offer effective treatment, it does not matter how it works. What matters to them is whether they get better, whether pain and other symptoms are alleviated.

Dr Dixon said:

'The task of the NHS is to improve the health of the public and to treat those who are sick or disabled.'

'We should not abandon patients we cannot help with conventional scientific medicine. If homeopathy is getting results for those patients, then of course we should continue to use it.

'Science is a vital tool in healthcare, but so are compassion and caring and treating patients with dignity. It is not clear that the Committee took that into account.'

In evidence to the Committee, the Foundation acknowledged that homeopathy is scientifically implausible. Although trials have demonstrated some patients do benefit from the whole homeopathic package, including the consultation, it is not clear whether that is due to placebo or – however unlikely – whether there might be some unknown effect of the medicine itself.

The Foundation's Fellows – all leading clinicians or scientists – hold varying views on homeopathy. These range from conviction that it should not be provided within the NHS to those who say its effectiveness is clear even though it is not known how it might work.


However, all agree that what is needed are controlled studies that compare the effectiveness and cost of homeopathy with other solutions for long term conditions, together with research to establish its action. It would then be for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to evaluate the evidence and reach a decision on whether the NHS should provide it.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For press copies of the Foundation’s written evidence to the Science & Technology Committee Evidence Check on Homeopathy, interviews with Dr Dixon and all other media enquiries, contact Pat Goodall, 01246 410707, 07789 871234, pat.goodall@fih.org.uk

2. All other enquiries, please get in touch with contactus@fih.org.uk

3. The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1993. Its principal aim is to make sure that everyone can access good integrated healthcare. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.fih.org.uk