British Members of Parliament Stand Behind Homeopathy

An Early Day Motion by David Tredinnick MP and signed by over 30 40 45 61 70 members of the British parliament expressed concern about the Science and Technology Report on Homeopathy and also says that the major witnesses against had “no expertise in the subject” and that more expert witnesses and “evidence from abroad” in support of homeopathy should have been called. They go on to mention the many scientific randomized controlled trials and studies verifying homeopathy.

That this House expresses concern at the conclusions of the Science and Technology Committee’s Report, Evidence Check on Homeopathy; notes that the Committee took only oral evidence from a limited number of witnesses, including known critics of homeopathy Tracy Brown*, the Managing Director of Sense About Science, and journalist Dr Ben Goldacre^, who have no expertise in the subject; believes that evidence should have been heard from primary care trusts that commission homeopathy, doctors who use it in a primary care setting, and other relevant organisations, such as the Society of Homeopaths, to provide balance; observes that the Committee did not consider evidence from abroad from countries such as France and Germany, where provision of homeopathy is far more widespread than in the UK, or from India, where it is part of the health service; regrets that the Committee ignored the 74 randomised controlled trials comparing homeopathy with placebo, of which 63 showed homeopathic treatments were effective, and that the Committee recommends no further research; further notes that 206 hon. Members signed Early Day Motion No. 1240 in support of NHS homeopathic hospitals in Session 2006-07; and calls on the Government to maintain its policy of allowing decision-making on individual clinical interventions, including homeopathy, to remain in the hands of local NHS service providers and practitioners who are best placed to know their community’s needs.

*Tracy Brown was a public relations consultant for pharmaceutical companies and Sense about Science is funded by conventional pharmaceutical companies.

^Dr. Ben Goldacre has received “awards” from pharmaceutical companies for some of his activities.