Hi
I'd like to complain about the claims made on a website and I believe this falls within your remit.
The Society of Homeopaths makes several claims on their website at
http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/whats-new ... heets.aspx. This particular page purports to be 'Fact sheets', and makes the following claims, with my comments in red on each of these:
1. Homeopathy can seriously improve your health.
I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim.
2. Reliable evidence shows that homeopathy is effective in the treatment of common mental health problems, female hormonal disorders (such as PMS) and a range of allergies including eczema
I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim.
3. Homeopathy treats "like with like". So coffee, which causes sleeplessness in some people, can be used as a homeopathic treatment to prevent insomnia.
The basis for homeopathy is disputed and there is no evidence that a homeopathic coffee preparation prevents insomnia.
4. Homeopathy takes a holistic approach, seeking to treat the whole person and patients receive unique treatment and individualised prescriptions.
This is designed to give the (false) impression that conventional medicine is ineffective or in some way lacking. This could persuade vulnerable or gullible people not to visit their GP and suffer as a result of serious conditions not being diagnosed.
5. Homeopathic treatment can be effective very quickly.
I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim.
6. Homeopathy is not a placebo.
I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim. Properly controlled, double blind, placebo controlled trials have shown that homeopathy is no better than placebo. I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim.
7. Homeopathy is proven to be effective in the treatment of babies and animals, who have no preconceptions.
I doubt they could supply evidence to support this claim.
I also believe that the following are misleading:
8. The latest pan-European research on homeopathic dilutions has shown that they do affect living human cells (April 2004)
I have not seen this research, but this small claim would tend to lead the reader to the conclusion that many or all homeopathic remedies are efficacious.
9. 2004 research at Sheffield University on chronic fatigue syndrome has shown that homeopathic treatment can improve energy levels
I have not seen this research, but this small claim would tend to lead the reader to the conclusion that many or all homeopathic remedies are efficacious.
It is well known that there is no scientific basis for the way homeopathy is claimed to work. It is also well known that properly controlled, double blind, placebo controlled trials have shown that homeopathy is no better than placebo. (For example, see the work done by Professor Edzard Ernst at the Peninsula Medical School at the University of Exeter -
http://www.pms.ac.uk/compmed.)
I believe these claims are unfounded and will lead the vulnerable and gullible into believing that homeopathy can cure them, that it may dissuade them from seeking proper medical advice, particularly for serious conditions, and that they spend money unnecessarily.
I have selected a few claims they have made, but there are many others on their website that do the same: mislead and are potentially dangerous.
I would be grateful for your comments on my complaint and what the process is for pursuing this complaint.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards