Letter to Private Eye9 March 2009 |
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Dear Sir,
In response to ‘Ratbiter’s’ piece Which Doctors? (Private Eye 1231), The Society of Homeopaths, which represents 60 per cent of registered homeopaths in the UK, would like to correct some important inaccuracies.
Whilst it may be true that in the case of HIV/AIDS, some “homeopaths keep patients away from the treatment which helps sufferers – anti-retroviral drugs”, it is worth noting that such behaviour would be in direct contravention of The Society’s Code of Ethics & Practice, sections 24, 32 and 75, to which all registered members (RSHoms) have agreed to abide by.
A Society organised symposium on HIV/AIDS in September 2007 further reinforced this position, informing delegates that “This Society symposium is not offering a cure for this disease nor is it endorsing in any way any of the methods used by the speakers… In its patient-centred approach, The Society does not endorse the stopping of existing treatment programmes eg anti-retroviral drugs. What it is exploring is a homeopathic and integrated approach that can help deal with some of the symptoms of this disease.”
It is inaccurate to describe Jeremy Sherr as a fellow of The Society of Homeopaths. While he was given that title in 1991 in recognition of his contribution to homeopathy, he resigned his membership in 2005, and as such is no longer entitled to use the designation ‘FSHom’.
Lastly, The Society would like to make it clear that far from being “snake oil”, there is in fact plenty of evidence to show that homeopathy works over and above the effect of placebo. By the end of 2007, 134 randomised controlled trials of homeopathy had been published in peer-reviewed journals. Of these trials, 59 were positive i.e. demonstrating that homeopathy has an effect beyond placebo; eight were negative and the remaining 67 were inconclusive.
We trust that the anonymous ‘Ratbiter’ will carry out its research a little more thoroughly in the future.
Yours sincerely
Paula Ross
Chief Executive
Media 24 hr contact telephone no: 07504 927689
