FRIDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Homeopathy remains a popular health care choice in the United Kingdom despite a new campaign against it by medical doctors, research scientists and the media, according to a special report in the Nov. 17 issue of The Lancet. The issue also includes a review of the widespread use of homeopathy in India.
Udani Samarasekera reports that some 13,000 patients are treated at five homeopathic hospitals in the United Kingdom each year, where treatment is covered by the National Health Service. Recent controversy has been stirred by a scheduled symposium on the role of homeopathy in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and also by an investigative report that homeopathic remedies were being offered as treatments for malaria, typhoid and other tropical diseases. Public support of some homeopathic hospitals has declined as a result.
The report by Raekha Prasad on homeopathy in India notes that some 10 percent of the country's population, or more than 100 million people, rely solely on homeopathy for their health care. Almost 11,000 homeopathic hospital beds are supported by the public health care system and three-quarters of registered homeopathic practitioners have been trained by the state. Reliance on homeopathy is especially widespread among the poor and in rural areas, where conventional medical care is less available.
A commentary concludes that banning homeopathy would be "an over-reaction," because the placebo effect of homeopathic medicines might actually be beneficial, but questions the ethical standards of homeopathic practitioners.
Abstract
Full Text - Samarasekera (subscription or payment may be required)
Full Text - Prasad (subscription or payment may be required)
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