Calls for guidelines on homeopathic remedies
The Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider developing guidelines on the use of homeopathic remedies.
The Lancet made the request following the publication of a research paper in the medical journal, which revealed that homeopathic remedies are no more effective than a placebo.
Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, in a letter to professor Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of NICE, wrote that without proper guidance on the use of homeopathic remedies in the NHS, inappropriate practice will continue.
Dr Horton said: “The formulation of guidance based on an appraisal of homeopathy’s effects would help to promote the best possible improvement in patient care for the given NHS resources available.
“NICE guidance would add substantially to the debate about whether and to what extent homeopathy should be available on the NHS.”
He concluded: “Given the controversy and inevitable uncertainty surrounding homeopathic medicine, this subject is a matter of urgent public concern.”
