Evidence for Homeopathy

Homeopathy has sometimes suffered ridicule by sceptics due to the very small amount of active ingredients contained in the remedies. However, the experience of patients who have reported relief from symptoms, and the observation of cases where the placebo effect is irrelevant (e.g. in studies of animal health where the animal has not been aware of its treatment), continues to assure many, including some pharmacologists, veterinary surgeons and medical doctors, that homeopathic medicines are effective.

Bristol Patient Outcome Study - Nov 1997 to Oct 2003

Over 6,500 individual patients whose outcome was recorded at follow-up. More than 70% of these follow-up patients recorded clinical improvement following homeopathic treatment.

In conventional medicine the high costs of clinical trials are typically covered by pharmaceutical companies. Once the new patented drug goes onto the market, research costs are recouped and significant profits made until the patents expire. Unfortunately this is not possible with homeopathy.

As homeopathic medicines have been widely used for up to 200 years, they cannot be patented. This means that if a company pays for an expensive trial which confirms efficacy of a particular remedy, they cannot prevent other companies from making and selling the same product, reducing their return on investment.

Without the large financial incentives associated with patents, it is harder to find companies who are willing to invest in homeopathy research. Donors are needed, whether individuals or companies, who are willing to support research for the good of patients, rather than primarily for financial gain.