A comprehensive and authoritative research study by Swiss scientists has offered an unambiguous endorsement of the evidence base for homeopathy as a clinically effective system of medicine.

Their report, part of a Swiss government evaluation of complementary and alternative medicines, gives a massive boost to the growing body of research underpinning the therapeutic effects of homeopathic medicine.

The Society’s research consultant Rachel Roberts said the report also dismissed the claims of the only research study ever to conclude that homeopathy’s effects are due to placebo, the controversial Shang meta-analysis, published in the Lancet in 2005 and heralded as “the end of homeopathy”.

Even though that study attracted criticism from international researchers due to its poor quality, both in terms of the methodology used and how the study was reported, it has been widely quoted by anti homeopathy campaigners as “proof’ that homeopathy is placebo.

Rachel, who is also the chief executive of the Homeopathy Research Institute, said: “This is great news for scientists who are committed to objective and accurate reporting of homeopathy research, as well as for the six million people in the UK who choose to use homeopathy as part of their healthcare.

“For too long anti-homeopathy campaigners have got away with using this flawed paper to unjustly damage the credibility of homeopathy and put pressure on decision-makers to cut homeopathy services. Being able to draw a line under the issue of the Shang paper will allow us to return to a more open, rational debate about homeopathy and its evidence base.”

The authors of the 234-page report, known as the Swiss Health Technology Assessment (HTA), exhaustively reviewed the clinical research in homeopathy (both systematic reviews and the original clinical studies). It includes a summary of 22 systematic reviews of clinical trials in specific medical conditions, 20 of which show a positive direction of evidence for homeopathy (with five of those 20 showing clear evidence of effectiveness).

The report also concluded that there was sufficient supporting evidence for the pre-clinical (experimental) effects of homeopathy and that, when compared to conventional therapies, it offers a safe and cost-effective treatment.

The report was commissioned by the Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO and the methodology adopted by the authors is a cornerstone of the UK’s NIHR (National Institute of Health Research) strategy for assessing real-world effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for the NHS. It is widely used internationally by other governmental agencies and is monitored by the non-profit umbrella organisation INAHTA (International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment).

The authors, Dr Gudrun Bornhöft and Prof Peter Matthiessen, say in their conclusion: “In summary, it can be said that there is sufficient evidence for the preclinical effectiveness and the clinical efficacy of homeopathy and for its safety and economy compared with conventional treatment.”

Alex Tournier, executive director of the Homeopathy Research Institute, said: “With the publication of the English translation of the HTA report, we hope that the debate will finally move from the question, ‘does homeopathy work?’ to the more pressing questions of ‘how does homeopathy work?’ and ‘what conditions can homeopathy treat effectively and cost-efficiently?”

For more information click here

New teaching innovation award goes to Salisbury

The winner of the Society’s first ever Teaching Innovation Awards was Salisbury Homeopathy College, whose entry was based on groups of students pitching a homeopathy business plan to a local charity.

The inspirational project was devised by teachers Susie Nichol and Sue Stotter, who were presented with the award at the Society’s annual conference.

All entries had to describe a specific lesson or learning experience which students had undertaken over 2010/11, and the main criterion was to show how the students were engaged actively in their learning.

Presenting the awards, senior education advisor Linda Wicks said: “Every homeopath is here today because they have been inspired and motivated by teachers. Whatever experience or interest initially led you to study homeopathy, it grew as you were encouraged to learn and explore. Teaching is a creative art – the most inventive programmes and activities lead people to reach their own understanding and find answers for themselves.

“All entries, from courses and individual teachers, demonstrated a very high standard of work and, above all, the sheer enjoyment of teaching and learning.”

Salisbury’s vice principal and co-director Lulu Badger said: “We are delighted to be the  proud winners of the Teaching Innovation Award. It is from this firm foundation that Annie and her team are delighted to be celebrating their tenth year as a course provider in this field of medicine.”

Second place in the awards went to the British School of Homeopathy in Exeter, run by Mo and Ali Morrish. Their submission described a student-run hayfever clinic, which brought in new patients from the busy shopping centre.

In third place was Elaine Watson, known for her pioneering work on medical science courses which are used by a number of homeopathy colleges here and abroad.  She submitted an entertaining take on the wonders of the human digestive system.

Linda said: “We intend this to be an annual award which will celebrate the continuing achievements of teachers in our recognised courses.”

The Society of Homeopaths is supporting an epetition lodged with the Department of Health, calling for complementary therapies, including homeopathy, to be more widely available on the NHS.

The petition follows a nationwide campaign by so-called “sceptics” who have been lobbying against complementary medicine being funded by the NHS.

Homeopathy has been a part of the NHS since its inception in 1948 and there are three homeopathic hospitals, in London, Glasgow and Bristol, as well as NHS homeopathic clinics and over 400 GPs who use homeopathic remedies in their daily practice.

The overall NHS spend on homeopathy is only £4 million out of a £110 billion budget, compared with £466 million spent treating hospital in-patients with adverse reactions to conventional drugs.

The Society’s research consultant Rachel Roberts said: “Preliminary research suggests that homeopathy is a cost effective option for the NHS, with a relatively small amount of money generating high patient satisfaction levels.”

An independent report by economist Christopher Smallwood into complementary therapies in 2005 concluded that if four per cent of GPs offered homeopathy as a frontline approach to treatment, it would result in an annual saving of £190 million. For more on this and other studies see Cost benefit studies

The epetition can be signed here http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/11068

For more on the campaign to keep homeopathy on the NHS see http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/what_you_can_do/campaign_for_homeopathy