Prescribing Advice for GPs

Homeopathy a waste of NHS money

February 22, 2010 at 3:41 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

The Commons Science and Technology Committee has recommended that the NHS should cease funding homeopathy after a review of the available evidence for efficacy. This recommendation has been reported in the general media (BBC).

The committee aims to assess if Government policy is backed by sound scientific evidence. The committee found no evidence that homeopathy works beyond the placebo effect. They also conclude that further trial work on homeopathy is unjustified.

The press release also notes that the Government acknowledges the lack of evidence for homeopathy and that it does not intend to review or change current NHS policy. The chairman of the committee stated that the decision to fund such treatments “sends out a confused message, and has potentially harmful consequences“.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this recommendation. Clinicians within the NHS who prescribe homeopathic remedies should individually review their continued use of these products.