Approximately 300 people around the country are taking part in a group homeopathic 'overdose' using 30C preparations of arsenic, nux vomica etc. Of course as this is a homeopathic preparation at 30C there are no actual molecules of the advertised substance in the pills so we are at no risk. The pills are made of sucrose & lactose so other than a mild sugar rush or potential lactose intolerance these pills are capable of producing no effect on the human body.
Why does this matter? Well apart from being misled by the nations favourite chemist there is the concept of opportunity cost. This is the potential delay caused by relying on an imaginary treatment rather than an effective one. At the mild end this may simply prolong suffering. More serious is the possibility of someone relying on homeopathy entirely rather than conventional medicine, missing out on accurate diagnosis and potentially allowing a condition to move from treatable to untreatable. There are documented cases of people dying, or allowing their loved ones die because of their faith in alternative medicine.
The placebo effect is very real and is certainly capable of producing positive effects in the human body. If someone is deriving benefit from homeopathy, reiki healing or ear candling that's wonderful provided they are at no risk and are informed about the true nature of the treatment they are choosing. The principle behind the 1023 campaign (1023 relates to Avagadro's number) is that we all deserve to have accurate, honest information about our healthcare. That Boots is choosing to lend their enormous credibility to a completely unproven treatment harms both themselves and their customers. Boots representatives in open session in parliament have admitted that they only sell homeopathic treatments because there is a demand for them, not because there is any evidence of their efficacy. If today's campaign fails to shame Boots into doing the right thing we can at least hope that the media coverage may reduce the demand through educating the public, making the business case for homeopathy less enticing.
-- Post From My iPhone
Location:Leeds
