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The cross-party House of Commons Science and Technology committee published a report last week stating that the NHS is wasting important money on the funding of homeopathic treatments. Homeopathic treatments involve the administration of heavily diluted doses of medicine and are based on the idea that ‘like causes like’. Larger substances of the treatment are said to produce symptoms similar to the condition being treated. Homeopathic doctors believe that the treatments will stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanism.

NHS is wasting money, according to the report and its sources

The report argues that the National Health Service (NHS) should not fund homeopathy. The committee bases its argument on the opinions of various sources, including doctors and scientists.

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There are four NHS homeopathic hospitals in the country and a number of NHS homeopathic clinics around the country. Britain’s Homeopathic Association states that over 400 GPs use homeopathy in their everyday practice. It has been said that £4m a year is spent on homeopathy by the NHS.

Scientists have said that homeopathic treatments are no better than sugar pills or placebos. The report includes statements from scientists who say that homeopathic doctors are deceiving their patients and that the treatment could lead to a delay in a diagnosis of the disease.

The committee draws its argument from these statements and says that there is insufficient clinical evidence to support homeopathic treatments and that public money should be spent on evidence-based treatments instead.

The debate continues

As with all debates, there are two sides to every story. Some say that the report is lacking important evidence and that homeopathy is, in fact, effective.

However, the report hasn’t affected all supporters of homeopathic treatments. Patients and staff at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital comment that they are used to controversy and more negative publicity is not going to change their minds.