Homeopathy a placebo — but still on the NHS

Published on Tuesday 27 July 2010 15:53

HOMEOPATHY will continuue to be available on the NHS, despite a report that said such treatment was no different to a placebo.

The UK Parliament's science and technology committee report, "Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy", stated "For patient choice to be real choice, patients must be adequately informed to understand the implications of treatments.

"For homeopathy this would certainly require an explanation that homeopathy is a placebo. When this is not done, patient choice is meaningless. When it is done, the effectiveness of the placebo — that is, homeopathy — may be diminished."

However, homeopathy will continue to be used on the NHS, said the UK Society of Homeopaths. Its chairwoman Zofia Dymitr said: "The society is aware of patient demand for homeopathy, and respects patients' capacity to make informed choices about their healthcare."