Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy - Homeowatch

Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy 39143. Boots is the leading pharmacy chain in the UK and is a well recognised retailer andbrand. The pharmacy section of Boots sells a range of complementary and alternativemedicines, including homeopathic products. We asked Paul Bennett, ProfessionalStandards Director at Boots, why they sold homeopathic products. Mr Bennett replied:It is about consumer choice for us. A large number of our consumers actually dobelieve they are efficacious, but they are licensed medicinal products and, therefore,we believe it is right to make them available. 167144. Beyond the issue of consumer choice, Professor Lawrence, Chief Scientific Adviser forthe RPSGB, considered there were reasons why pharmacies should continue to sellhomeopathic products:We would contest it is better for the patient for pharmacists to be present […]because they are able, if appropriate, to offer advice to that patient, and there are twothings that are important. It is important that patients should realise there is not anyevidence for the particular preparations and, also, it gives the pharmacist anopportunity to ensure that the patient is not actually taking somethingunnecessary. 168We found this response unsatisfactory. As the RPSGB takes the view that “there is noscientific or clinical evidence to support homeopathy” 169 the only advice pharmacists couldgive is that the products are placebos. Pharmacists should ensure that patients withsymptoms that may require further medical investigation and treatment are not led tobelieve that a homeopathic remedy is effective beyond the placebo effect. The RPSGB itselfhas described pharmacists as “scientists in the high street” 170 and therefore has a particularresponsibility to ensure that pharmacists provide scientifically accurate advice to patients.145. The RPSGB had concerns about the possibly legitimisation of homeopathy caused bythe sale of products through pharmacies. It pointed out in its written submission that:the current Government policy of allowing indications for homeopathicpreparations intended for over the counter sale, may be seen to legitimising thepractice of homeopathy and may prompt some patients to use, for example,homeopathic preparations for malaria prophylaxis, treatment of HIV, TB, influenza,childhood diarrhoea or in place of immunisation. 171146. Although the availability of homeopathic products in pharmacies could be interpretedby patients as an endorsement of efficacy, in our view it would be pointless to seek toremove homeopathic products from sale in pharmacies. Many pharmacies sell ranges ofnon-evidence-based products and homeopathic products are easily available over theinternet in any case. We consider that the way to deal with the sale of homeopathic167 Q 5168 Q 60169 Ev 5, para 3.10170 For example, “Scientist in the High Street campaign: factsheets”, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain,www.rpsgb.org171 Ev 3, para 1.12