Roberts is worried that the new law will fuel the organised anti-homeopathy lobby to use regulations as a way of damaging the profession and trying to stop it being practised in the UK. However, confusion in government does exist, with some believing that with no change to the law homeopaths are panicking unnecessarily. "It is absolutely diabolical that the Medicines Act directly infringes on my freedom of choice to choose homeopathy and to receive the remedies I require," she said in an e-mail. Homeopathy patient Mary Nondé feels the same. That requires a change in the law so that remedies may be supplied to persons not physically present." Irrespective of the opinions of clinicians and pharmaceutical companies, people should be allowed to continue to use homeopathic remedies. ![]() MP Steve Baker's letter to the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "I believe most strongly that people have a right to take responsibility for their own person and health. Homeopaths and patients have been writing to their MPs to urge the government to amend the law. We are in the mainstream regulatory system and always have been," Roberts says. "The pharmacies have had all their inspections and spot checks to make sure that they're doing their jobs properly remedies are well made, safely made, and delivered safely. Rachel Roberts, research consultant for the Society of Homeopathy and chief executive of the Homeopathy Research Institute, says that homeopathy has been incredibly safe and effective for decades, generating few genuine complaints. Homeopathic pharmacies, however, have had a good relationship with the MHRA for decades. Morgan says, "It is not economically viable to license something that sells 50 to 100 units per year and the licensing process for 30 or 40 remedies takes years." The majority of medicines remain unlicensed. Homeopaths tailor remedies to the individual patient's needs, 3,000 of which come in more than a hundred different strengths resulting in hundreds of thousands of permutations. ![]() The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Each case will be considered on its individual merits," the MHRA said in an e-mail.Ĭontinue Homeopaths tailor remedies to the individual patient's needs "We will investigate any complaint concerned with the manufacture and supply of medicines for human use. The main stakeholders within the homeopathy profession have worked together for over 18 months regarding the Act's revision, and had consultations with the MHRA, but "the efforts and suggestions that we made have fallen on deaf ears", says John Morgan, managing director of Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy.Ī spokesperson for the MHRA said they have no plans to change their position on homeopathic medicines in relation to the Medicines Act. Homeopaths say that a simple solution to the anomaly would be to make homeopathic medicines exempt in the new law. She fears that the manufacturers (pharmacies) will suffer the most if the law is enforced, because it would mean a serious loss of trade for them. "We are concerned that our ongoing access to unlicensed homeopathic medicines may be restricted by the retention of an obsolete law," Mont says. ![]() "This law was made decades before mail order was a common business practice, and the internet had become a primary driver of commercial enterprise," says Karin Mont, chair of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths.įrom July 1, the new law, which will be renamed the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, will not contain an exemption to include homeopaths' modern prescribing methods, according to the government agency the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). They are calling for an amendment in the law to recognise the modern ways of purchasing homeopathic medicines. With just five licensed homeopathic pharmacies in the UK, homeopaths say it is logistically unworkable to pick up remedies via a face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist. This means that the 2,000 practising homeopaths and the 6 million to 9 million patients who use homeopathy are technically acting illegally. It has become established custom and practice for many homeopaths and patients to procure remedies via the internet and telephone.īut under the 1968 Medicines Act, a person may only purchase medicines that are exempt from licensing in person from a pharmacist. Homeopaths worry the anti-homeopathy lobby may use the law to restrict the practice. The legislation regulating the safety and prescription of medicines is undergoing a major review in July to update and simplify it. Homeopathy has a long tradition in the UK, yet this alternative system of medicine may now be under threat.
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