Anger and protests at RCVS statement on CAM - Faculty of Homeopathy
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The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter February 2018
Anger and protests at
RCVS statement on CAM
V
ets, farmers and pet owners have condemnation of the RCVS. “This
reacted with anger after the Royal statement has been imposed without
College of Veterinary Surgeons’ consultation with clients or any of the
(RCVS) ruling council agreed a new vets who use these treatments. We
position statement on complementary are deeply disappointed that the RCVS
therapies which they say is tantamount would seek to undermine its own
to a ban on the use of homeopathy in members whose independence and
the treatment of sick animals. livelihoods are at stake.”
Although the statement is designed Supporters of veterinary
to cover all complementary therapies, homeopathy have also been making
it singles out homeopathy. It makes the their views known. An online petition
questionable claim the therapy “exists received over 15,000 signatures.
without a recognised body of evidence” And in January a group of about 50
and to protect animal welfare it should protestors, many accompanied by their
only be used alongside conventional animals, braved gale force winds and
treatments and not as an alternative. pouring rain to march on the RCVS’s
Furthermore, many homeopathic Vet Geoff Johnson protesting
headquarters in London to deliver the
veterinary surgeons believe the in London petition. They were met by Professor
statement implies a degree of criticism Peter May, the RCVS’s president, who
of their clinical competence, in that by used in veterinary practice, as well attempted to clarify the royal college’s
using homeopathy they are causing as human medicine, is inconclusive. position.
animals to suffer. When challenged If the RCVS were to apply the same He said: “We continue to
on this, the RCVS conceded they evidential criteria used for homeopathy recognise that homeopathy and other
have no evidence that vets using to all treatments, there would be far complementary therapies are popular
complementary therapies, including fewer clinical options available to the amongst some animal owners and
homeopathy, are causing harm to profession.” certain members of the veterinary
animals. He went on: “There is growing profession, as indicated by today’s
Responding to the statement interest in homeopathy from animal delegation, but it is worth reiterating
Peter Gregory, the Faculty’s veterinary owners, as they see conventional that the RCVS council statement does
dean, said the statement “has serious medicines regularly failing or producing not ban their use.”
implications for the whole profession adverse side-effects. This is especially But campaigners remain
and the future of veterinary medicine”. true in livestock farming, where there is unconvinced and are considering a
“Contrary to the RCVS position, a drive to reduce the dependence on larger demonstration later in the year.
there is quality evidence supporting antibiotics in light of concerns about Mr Gregory said: “To have this position
the efficacy of the therapy,” he said. antimicrobial resistance.” statement rescinded will take a lot of
“The evidence is inconclusive – in Chris Day, president of the British work, but our resolve is strong and
the same way the evidence base Association of Homeopathic Veterinary public support for homeopathic vets
for many conventional medicines Surgeons, was equally forceful in his has been overwhelming.”
EDITORIAL
H
omeopathy has survived many metaphysical speculation. Homeopathy
attacks in its 212-year history, Dr Peter Fisher was born before its time in scientific
so perhaps we should not be terms: although Avogadro enunciated
so surprised by the current sustained his eponymous principle in 1811, during
attack by sceptical groups. But it is Hahnemann’s lifetime, there is no
worth reflecting on the recent history evidence that Hahnemann knew of it.
to see what we can learn. The current In any case its value was not calculated
series of attacks can be traced to until 1876, by Loschmidt. The result
the lead story of The Times on 24 is that homeopathy remains in its
August 2005 “Prince plots alternative scientific infancy.
treatments for the NHS”. But the last few years have seen
This story was based on a leak of the Sir Michael Peat, the Prince of Wales’ a series of developments which may
Smallwood report* by Prof Edzard Ernst. Principal Private Secretary, wrote to eventually put to bed the criticism that
Christopher Smallwood had previously the vice chancellor of Exeter University “it doesn’t work because it can’t work”:
been an economics adviser to Barclays protesting at the leak, and the university that it is impossible for the very high
Bank and subsequently chairman conducted an investigation. Ernst’s dilutions often used in homeopathy
of St George’s University Hospitals position became untenable, funding for to have any biological effect. A range
NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS his department dried up and he took of methods agree that succussion
organisations. Interestingly in the early retirement. Thirteen years later he generates nanoparticles, micro-cavities
context he had also been a member remains sore; in his latest book More and very high, but very localised
of the Competition Commission. Harm than Good? he attacks the Prince and very transient temperatures and
Smallwood was commissioned by the of Wales as “foolish and immoral”. pressures and that these in turn have
Prince of Wales to prepare a report to structural effects on water. Twelve
Moving the goalposts
“take a fresh and independent look at independent research labs have
the contribution which complementary I sometimes wonder why do they hate reported that homeopathic medicines
therapies can potentially make to us so much? Why the wilful ignorance contain nanostructures, including
healthcare in the UK”. of the mantra “there is no evidence for
source material, silica nanoparticles
homeopathy”? But certain respected
The Smallwood report and gas. This does not prove that
bodies have gone beyond simply
The conclusions of the Smallwood homeopathy works, it does refute
ignoring the evidence to actively
report were tentative but positive for the argument that it “does not work
distorting it. High profile reviews and
complementary medicine. They because it cannot work” since it provides
meta-analyses including that of Shang
included the suggestion that CAM a potential mechanism of action.
et al published in The Lancet in 2005,
therapies might have an important We must remain united, determined
which appeared almost simultaneously
contribution to make for “effectiveness with The Times story (it is hard to and committed to science.
gap” conditions (I am proud to have believe that was a coincidence), and
minted the term “effectiveness gap”). Dr Peter Fisher
the 2015 Australian NHMRC report have
And that CAM treatments might have * www.magonia.com/files/smallwood-
“dredged the data”.
the potential to make direct cost savings report.pdf
Data dredging is the inadmissible
for the NHS or to deliver additional practice of selecting, post-hoc, a subset
benefit to patients in a cost-effective of data to deliver a desired outcome. It
way. The main recommendation of the is the scientific equivalent of moving
report was that additional funds should the goalposts while the game is in
be made available for research into the progress and the home side losing!
cost effectiveness of complementary Editor: John Burry
Shang et al and the NHMRC excluded
medicine. Consultant Editor: Greg White
93% and 97% respectively of the
A prepublication draft was circulated randomised clinical trial data. The effect Faculty of Homeopathy
for comment with prominent warnings of excluding such a large proportion of CAN Mezzanine , 49-51 East Road
that it was confidential and not to be the data was a negative conclusion. The London, N1 6AH Tel: 020 3640 5903
shared more widely (I can personally authors of both reports had previously E: simile@facultyofhomeopathy.org
vouch for this, since I was one of those conducted more comprehensive W: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org
asked to comment). Regrettably, Prof reviews whose results they have not
All the material in this publication is copyright
Ernst did precisely this, leaking it to revealed. This strongly suggests that and may not be reproduced without permission.
The Times who used it as the basis they were aware that a fuller review The publishers do not necessarily identify with
or hold themselves responsible for contributors’,
of their lead story. The editor of The of the clinical evidence would have correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions.
Lancet, Richard Horton, certainly resulted in more positive conclusions.
no friend of homeopathy, promptly Design: HMCA Services
denounced Ernst for having “broken Scientific progress
Printing: HMCA Services
every professional code of scientific We must not allow such attacks to info@hmca.co.uk
behaviour”. cause us to retreat from science into
2
NEWS simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
NHS England faces legal challenge to its
‘fundamentally flawed’ consultation
NHS England’s consultation that treatment because they have failed to consultation was not a genuine attempt
resulted in the recommendation respond to conventional drugs or have to engage with patients, with NHS
that homeopathy should not be suffered serious side-effects.” England appearing to have already
routinely prescribed in primary care He also said it is surprising that a taken the decision to deprive patients
is being challenged in the courts. review of individual medicines should of homeopathic care even before the
The British Homeopathic Association include homeopathy, which is a clinical views of the public were sought.
(BHA) is seeking a judicial review on discipline quite often only accessible Furthermore, it is the BHA’s view
the basis that the consultation was through GP referral to doctors the consultation failed to take into
fundamentally flawed from the outset. specialising in the therapy. proper consideration the evidence for
Cristal Sumner, BHA chief executive, Central to the BHA’s case is the homeopathy’s clinical use or considered
said the charity is making the legal argument that the proposal to
the negative impact on patients
challenge on behalf of the many withdraw homeopathy from routine
and the NHS if it is removed from
patients who receive homeopathy on prescribing was not formulated with
prescribing.
the NHS and find it beneficial to their input from any homeopathy experts or
An online appeal to raise funds
health. practitioners, and appeared to be based
The Faculty of Homeopathy is solely on the discredited conclusions to help cover the BHA’s legal costs
supporting the litigation and is listed of a House of Commons Science and received more than £18,000 in
in court papers as an interested party. Technology Committee report from donations. Meanwhile, an online
In a statement supporting the BHA, 2010. As a consequence, it is also the parliamentary petition in support of
the Faculty’s chief executive, Greg BHA’s position that NHS England failed NHS homeopathy has attracted over
White, said: “NHS England has failed to provide adequate information for 25,000 signatures. The petition closes
to announce alternative treatment patients to give a considered and on 13 March 2018, so if you have not
pathways for patients, many of whom informed response. already signed it, visit www.petition.
are elderly and receiving homeopathic The BHA also believes the parliament.uk/petitions/200154
Glasgow centre recognised with national award
The NHS Glasgow Centre for Integrative Care
(CIC) has won a prestigious national award for
delivering excellent patient care.
The multi-disciplinary team at the centre
fought off stiff competition to win the much
coveted Healthier Lifestyle category in the 2017
Scottish Health Awards. The award recognises the
dedication and commitment of all the healthcare
staff at the CIC in motivating and supporting
people in their efforts to make changes in their
lives to improve their health, enabling them to
enjoy a more active and fulfilling life.
In congratulating the winners John Brown,
chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:
“It is wonderful that our staff are recognised for
their dedication and commitment to enhancing
our services.”
He went on to describe the CIC team as a
“great example of the excellent work carried out
every day by all NHS staff”.
Every year, the Scottish Health Awards
recognise and reward the dedicated NHS staff,
Collecting the award for the CIC (L to R) Katrina Bissett,
clinical nurse specialist; Dr Moira McGuigan; Stephanie support workers, volunteers and specialist teams
Wilson, senior physiotherapist; Dr Jacqueline Mardon. who go the extra mile to provide outstanding
patient care.
3
NEWS
Winner of international Faculty forges
closer links with
history prize announced Spanish academy
Doctors and vets in Spain will in future
The winner Alice Kuzniar (second left) receives her prize have the opportunity of joining the
Faculty of Homeopathy following
the signing of an agreement with the
Academia Medico Homeopatica de
Barcelona (AMHB).
The agreement allows members
of these professions holding the
Master de Homeopatia, gained
through a teaching centre accredited
by the European Committee of
Homeopathy (ECH), to sit the Faculty
of Homeopathy’s membership
examination.
Faculty chief executive, Greg White,
says the signing of the agreement is
another positive step in growing the
Faculty’s international membership and
its influence abroad.
As for all international members,
the professional qualifications held
by Spanish doctors and vets must be
recognised by the General Medical
Council or the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons. Those wishing
to sit MFHom exam must also be
associate members of the Faculty.
To ensure the Faculty maintains
its reputation for excellence in
The 2017 Hans Walz Award for research Since 2003 the Institute for the homeopathic education, the
on the history of homeopathy has History of Medicine of the Robert examination papers will be set by
been won by Alice Kuzniar for her Bosch Foundation has awarded the the Faculty and will be in English,
book The Birth of Homeopathy out of international prize worth 1,500 Euros. although Catalan-English or Spanish-
the Spirit of Romanticism. The prize is designed to promote English dictionaries may be used
Ms Kuzniar is a lecturer in German outstanding research on the history of
by the candidates. The examination
and English language and culture at homeopathy and is open to anyone
can be held in Catalan or Spanish
the University of Waterloo in Canada. outside of the institute.
if the examiners are fluent in these
In her book she casts new light on The award is funded by the Hans
languages. Where there are four
the work of Samuel Hahnemann Walz Foundation which has been
or more candidates sitting either
by using her in-depth knowledge an integrative part of the Robert
the MFHom or the MFHom(Vet),
of romanticism to critically explore Bosch Foundation since 1985. Hans
homeopathy against the intellectual Walz (1883-1974) worked closely with the examination will take place in
background of the period when the Robert Bosch Sr and was for many Barcelona. Two external examiners
therapy was first being developed. By years managing director of the Robert chosen by the Faculty will attend each
adopting this innovative approach Ms Bosch Company and a trustee of examination along with two internal
Kuzniar argues that Hahnemann was the Stuttgart Homeopathic Hospital. examiners from the AMHB.
a product of his time rather than an Throughout his life he was committed, The AMHB was founded in 1890
iconoclast and visionary. professionally as well as personally, to and is an association made up of
The book also features the first the advancement of homeopathy. doctors, pharmacists, dentists and
English translations of many of The Birth of Homeopathy out of vets. Its objectives are the promotion
Hahnemann’s unpublished writings, the Spirit of Romanticism is published of homeopathy and to facilitate
including case journals and self- by Toronto University Press and education and further research into
proovings. available from Amazon. homeopathic medicine.
4
NEWS simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
FDA review policy on homeopathic medicines
Homeopathic medicines in America distributed without FDA approval. manufactured in accordance with Good
are to be subject to greater scrutiny by FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb Manufacturing Practice guidelines set
the country’s Food and Drugs Authority said: “In many cases, people may by the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia
(FDA). be placing their trust and money in of the United States.
The FDA proposes to target therapies that may bring little or no Concerns over some homeopathic
products which they claim could pose benefit in combating serious ailments, medicines first came to light in early
safety risks to the public. They will be or worse – may cause significant and 2017, when media reports suggested
focussing on medicines containing even irreparable harm.” a particular brand of homeopathic
potentially harmful ingredients or Even so, the agency says it would be teething tablets and gels were linked to
being marketed as treatments for life impractical to require all homeopathic the deaths of ten children. Laboratory
threatening diseases. Homeopathic medicines to meet full FDA approval, tests conducted by the FDA found
medicines administered by injection or and that it has no desire to prevent some of these products to contain
intended for vulnerable groups, such as consumers from continuing to use “elevated and inconsistent levels of
children or the elderly, will in future also homeopathic products as part of their Belladonna” and they were withdrawn
have to satisfy more stringent safety healthcare. But it says it will “go after” from the market.
checks. products that might cause serious harm. While deploring any suffering
Under US law homeopathic A statement issued by the National caused to patients by poorly
medicines are required to comply Center for Homeopathy (NCH) said it manufactured homeopathic products,
with the same safety standards as “supported the FDA’s efforts to ensure supporters of homeopathy say that
conventional drugs. But in 1988, the safety and good manufacturing according to the Centers for Disease
FDA adopted a policy of “enforcement practices in the industry”. The NCH also Control and Prevention, almost 17,000
discretion” where homeopathic highlighted the safety of homeopathic people died in America in 2016 from
products could be manufactured and medicines when products are overdoses of prescription opioids.
The Faculty’s Twitter account has 4,917 followers
Keep up with the conversations
Log on to http//twitter.com/fohhomeopathy
5
NEWS
Faculty president New threat to NHS homeopathy
to stand down in the West Country
Hardly had the new year begun
President Dr Helen Beaumont is to stand
when another threat to NHS
down at the Faculty’s annual general
homeopathy emerged, this time
meeting in March. Dr Beaumont was elected
in the west of England. In January
to office after a closely fought election in 2014.
it was announced that health
Announcing her decision, Dr Beaumont
bosses from North Somerset,
said she has thoroughly enjoyed her time
South Gloucestershire and Bristol
in office despite the many challenges the
are to review the commissioning
Faculty and homeopathy face.
of homeopathy services and
“I feel immensely proud and privileged
treatments as part of a cost-cutting
to have represented the Faculty and its
initiative.
membership over the last four years,” she said.
Currently patients can access
“It’s been a time of great change, which
homeopathy treatment on the
has seen the Faculty successfully emerge as a
NHS at the Portland Centre for
fully independent organisation and I’d like to
Integrative Medicine (PCIM), where
thank our chief executive Greg White for all
Faculty member Dr Elizabeth
his hard work in helping achieve this.” Dr Elizabeth Thompson of the PCIM
Thompson is the clinical lead.
She went on to say how she has been
Interviewed on BBC Radio
impressed with the growing collaboration Bristol, Dr Thompson said: “In a way they [CCGs] are targeting the most
within the homeopathic community, both vulnerable people who are chronically ill.”
nationally and internationally. Another She explained how conventional medicine can’t always help everyone
highlight for Dr Beaumont was the Belfast and how it is important to have choice for those patients who benefit from
congress in 2016, which she describes as the the holistic approach offered at the PCIM. “For these patients,” she said, “it is
“best ever”. really important they have this avenue of care.”
“Finally,” she said, “I would like to thank A statement published by Bristol CCG says homeopathy has no clinical
my fellow council members for the support value beyond placebo and has “no evidence base”. In support of these claims
they’ve given me throughout my presidency. the CCG cites the damaging conclusions from the now discredited 2010
The Faculty is fortunate to have so many House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s evidence check in
talented and committed individuals who homeopathy, together with the NHS England recommendation from last year
give up their time for the benefit of our that CCGs should not fund homeopathy. This is despite the consultation, on
organisation and its membership.” which NHS England based its guidance, being subject to a legal challenge.
The Faculty’s long-standing vice- You can support NHS homeopathy by filling in the simple questionnaire
president, Dr Elizabeth Thompson, is also at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r XKYTVD3
standing down.
Responding to these departures from
the Faculty’s ruling body, Greg White said:
“I’d like to offer my personal thanks to Helen
for her help and support, particularly when
I first joined the Faculty 18 months ago. Don’t forget to join us in Liverpool
Working with Helen has been a pleasure,
and I’ve always valued her experience and for the
wise counsel during a period when as an
organisation we’ve had to make some
2018 Faculty of Homeopathy Congress
difficult decisions.”
He continued: “Liz Thompson is one of 11 – 14 October 2014
the council’s longest serving members and
on behalf of the Faculty membership I’d Homeopathy –
like to thank her for her commitment and
contribution over many years.” connecting our global community
Nominations for president and vice-
president will be sought in the very near
future. If there is more than one nomination Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool, UK
for either position, then elections will be held.
Details of how to nominate a candidate were
http://fohcongress2018.co.uk
announced via the Faculty’s website and
e-news.
6
NEWS simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Exam success in Bristol and London
Robinson, Dr Indranil Sen, Dr Ramya
Gnanasambandam and Dr Thendral
Samarai Selvan. Doctors Paluri,
Robinson and Sen all scored 80 per cent
or above and achieved distinctions. All
five candidates had studied through
the Faculty’s accredited Fast Track
course run by the Royal London
Hospital for Integrated Medicine.
Furthermore, Dr Selvan and Dr
Gnanasambandam both travelled to
London from India to take the Fast Track
course, highlighting the high esteem
in which the Faculty’s training is held
internationally.
Dr Helen Beaumont, Faculty
president, welcomed all the successful
candidates. “This is the highest number
L to R: Dr Sally Moorcroft, Dr Julie Geraghty (examiner) nurse Susan Greenfield, of new members to join the Faculty
dentist Hester Degrae and Dr David Williams (examiner). in one month for a little while. I’d like
to wish them all successful careers in
At the beginning of December three congratulate all three candidates. As homeopathic medicine and a long
candidates successfully sat the MFHom examiners we realise that healthcare association with the Faculty.”
examination in Bristol. Representing professionals who have studied All three candidates from Bristol
three clinical disciplines, Dr Sally homeopathy later in their careers will and three of the London candidates
Moorcroft, nurse Susan Greenfield probably not have sat a major exam received bursaries through the Barcapel
and dentist Hester Degrae are now for many years, with all the anxiety that Foundation, which provides financial
all proud members of the Faculty of entails; so it is a great achievement – assistance to individuals connected
Homeopathy. and no doubt relief – to pass. We wish to not-for-profit organisations
Hester Degrae deserves special Sally, Susan and Hester very well as they working towards improving health or
mention as she is the first dentist integrate homeopathy into their work.” promoting heritage and youth projects.
to pass the new clinical MFHom for We can also report examination If you are interested in receiving a
dentists. She is also only the second success in London, where five doctors Barcapel bursary, please contact the
dentist to pass the MFHom(Dent). passed their MFHom just before Faculty’s membership and education
Dr Julie Geraghty, the Faculty’s Christmas. The successful candidates officer Lisa Peacock at lpeacock@
medical dean, said: “I’d like to were Dr Srinivasa Paluri, Dr Jessica facultyofhomeopathy.org
Faculty members debate whether CAM threatens public health
Last autumn, Faculty members Dr Russell Malcolm and Dr have become all too familiar with. Dr Malcolm responded
Rajendra Sharma took the fight for homeopathy into the by examining what constitutes a threat to public health and
very heartland of the sceptic movement. They were invited outlining the limitations of the “evidence base”.
to speak in a debate on complementary medicine at Exeter The second proposer, Luke Smith, concentrated on the
University, where Prof Edzard Ernst, one of the therapy’s most improbability of CAM models and chose to concentrate his
implacable foes, was once Chair in Complementary Medicine. criticism on the precepts for homeopathy. He was followed
Exeter University’s debating society proposed the motion by Dr Sharma who discussed the precept “Let food be thy
that complementary medicine poses a threat to public medicine”. Essentially he examined the question of whether
health. Supporting the proposition were Professor Wendy synthetic medicinal substances had a place in human healing
Reid, Director of Medical Education and Quality for Health in the absence of normalisation and naturalisation of the
Education England, and Luke Smith, a final year biochemistry patient’s daily regimen.
student and president of the Exeter branch of Humanists UK. When the debate was opened to the floor, the
The proceedings opened with a pre-debate vote which propositions were examined from various angles in a lively
showed a small but equal level of support for both sides of question and answer session. When the final vote was taken,
the argument, with the majority of the audience abstaining. Dr Malcolm and Dr Sharma were victorious by a good majority.
Professor Reid then opened the debate, focussing principally Read Dr Malcolm’s deconstruct of his opponents
on the issue of evidence and medical science, which we arguments on page 9.
7
NEWS
Nobel prize-winning scientist to speak in London
World renowned virologist and Nobel laureate
Professor Luc Montagnier will be visiting the UK later
this year to discuss his ground-breaking research
into the properties of water.
Professor Montagnier was awarded the Nobel
Prize for Medicine in 2008 for discovering HIV.
The French scientist has since become a leading
authority in water research, and when interviewed
in 2010 is reported to have said: “High dilutions
of something are not nothing, they are water
structures which mimic the original molecules. It’s
not pseudoscience. It’s not quackery. These are real
phenomena which deserve further study.”
He will be revealing the results of his latest
research at the Royal Society of Medicine in London
on Saturday 14 July 2018. Also speaking at the event
are two other high profile scientists from this field
of research: Dr Gerald Pollack from the University
of Washington and Professor Alexander Konovalov
from the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Dr Pollack is a professor in bioengineering and
an expert in water science who discovered the
fourth phase of water known as EZ water; while
Professor Konovalov has conducted independent
research on high dilutions that could provide a
better scientific understanding of homeopathy.
This exciting scientific event is being organised
by Faculty licentiate member Ken Ward-Atherton.
Professor Luc Montagnier Members can get further information by emailing
montagnier2018@gmail.com
Huge response to Charity Commission review
Feedback from the Charity Commission’s not about whether complementary placed to provide accurate information
public consultation on whether therapies and medicines are “good” or about the therapies. The Faculty also
organisations promoting complementary “bad”, but about what level of evidence made the point that it is inappropriate
therapies should retain charitable the commission should require for a registered charity, namely The
status has been released. The Charity when making assessments about an Good Thinking Society, to use the
Commission launched its review in organisation’s charitable status. Charity Commission to try to dictate
March 2017 following pressure from This will confuse supporters of what therapies are available to the
the anti-homeopathy group The Good charities promoting the benefits of public, many of which are prescribed by
Thinking Society. complementary medicine, for when doctors and nurses. Such a move would
In its statement the commission said the commission launched its public restrict patient freedom of choice and
it received over 670 written responses, consultation it said it was not seeking limit the clinical freedom of statutorily
far in excess of the number they usually to review the evidence. In fact, the regulated healthcare professionals.
receive for a consultation. The majority consultation has attracted criticism from Once all the responses have been
of responses were from individuals but people complaining that contrary to assessed the results, along with other
submissions were also received from the commission’s stated intention, all the information relating to the legal
over 100 organisations. Owing to this questions focussed on the evidence. framework governing charitable
exceptionally high level of engagement, Although the Faculty of status, will determine whether the
the commission says it is taking longer Homeopathy does not have charitable commission’s current policy towards
than initially anticipated to analyse all status, it submitted a response complementary therapies needs to
the responses. supporting charities promoting be changed and if so, what changes
The commission says its review is homeopathy as it believes they are best should be made.
8
VIEW POINT simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Dismantling the opposition
Dr Russell Malcolm with no intrinsic healing capability
on the open market; a drug which is
is occurring in the world today,
underpinned by irrational, ideological
deconstructs the widely used on the advice of healthcare and religious pretexts. However, today’s
professionals in direct contradiction of so-called humanists have replaced their
arguments of Prof the clinical evidence for antipyretics in old values of tolerance and persuasion
Wendy Reid and Luke fever. with the idea that you can borrow
When it is revealed how much the scientific models and use them as an
Smith that he and NHS spends on patients suffering side- intellectual stick to defeat superstition
Faculty colleague effects from, so-called, evidence-based and irrationality. At the root of these
medicine, the financial argument for new “values” is the belief that science
Dr Rajendra Sharma ceasing the funding of homeopathy has a monopoly on truth.
faced in a debate and other complementary therapies
falls apart. It is also clear that using a
This is naïve in the extreme.
Never more so when you target
on complementary disingenuous academic argument experiential and heuristic areas of
medicine at Exeter to decommission safe, individualised
treatments that facilitate positive
human endeavour, using schoolboy
materialism and Newtonianism in an
University. responses in patients is mean-spirited attempt to debunk those engaged in
I
n the seventeenth century, the and consigns patients to unnecessary a lifelong empirical study of complex,
suffering and loss of personal choice. contextualised, living phenomena.
physician Thomas Sydenham began
Professor Reid’s arguments These materialist-rationalists will of
to categorise diseases, rationalise
were politicking rather than closely course point out that truths are verified
interventions and collate outcomes.
This has served medicine well overall. responsive to real human concerns. by the fact that scientific models can
Today, the evidence base for simple The trappings of status and implied be demonstrated to work. Strangely,
comparisons between Therapy A, clinical superiority are not enough they are prepared to conflate a scientific
versus Therapy B, in a highly definable to deconstruct homeopathy in model with the notion of truth, even
condition with straightforward outcome a debate with practitioners who when the scientific model for every
measures, is one thing; while the have dedicated their life to its study “reality” ultimately breaks down within
“evidence base” for complex interventions and the direct care of patients. Her the modelling framework of another
in multi-system disease is quite another. entirely uncompromising diatribe observed phenomenon.
The great error of medico-politicians smacked of absolutism – a one-sided
argument more suited to persuading Automated healthcare
is to believe that they can conflate two
entirely different scientific challenges, an accountant, politician or marketing By extension, today’s humanist appears
at just one moment in history, and group, but in the final analysis did not to be suggesting that every part of the
make value-judgements concerning convince an intelligent and reflective “living machine”, including thought
the legitimacy of facilitatory and multi- audience, some of whom related and consciousness, will one day be
faceted treatments like homeopathy. their own experience of how they modelled. The rational extension of
True to form, the anti-homeopathy had exhausted orthodox treatment materialist ideology in medicine is to
voices trotted out the usual buzz-words options or had suffered at the hands of imagine that, ultimately, the patient
concerning scientific evidence, but “evidence-constrained medicine” and should plug him/herself into an
always in the absence of any real depth had found CAM beneficial. enormous automated medical test-kit,
of study. These mantras serve only to Inhuman humanists underpinned by a huge clinical data-set
obscure how opaque the evidence base and allow a super-computer to model
is for many established practices and Luke Smith’s arguments were
their suffering, define the solutions and
treatments in modern clinical medicine. considerably more challenging, partly
direct a robot to deliver the surgery and
because they attempted to undermine
Double standards drugs, based on the “evidence”.
the precepts for homeopathy and CAM.
Where exactly does that leave a
To illustrate how the industry abuses I have previously argued this issue with
patient that Faculty members might
the evidence base and how double a member of the Humanist movement
recognise as requiring homeopathic
standards pervade the whole issue, we in a live television debate.
Ignatia. Someone experiencing
need only to consider over-the-counter Examining the prevailing ethos of
functional dyspepsia and dysphagia,
(OTC) Paracetamol. Any complementary the modern humanist movement, it is
who is alone and isolated in their grief,
medicine that killed 200 people every clear that as a group of thinkers they
someone for whom the human ear,
year, as paracetamol does, would not are no longer engaged in thoughtful
human eye and human touch is not
last five minutes as an OTC medicine. dialectic, but have become radicalised
It’s only the commercial power of the merely a sensor, but the final arbiter of
and intolerant.
pharmaceutical industry and financial It is not difficult to see how this meaning and human understanding.
interests which keep a dangerous drug may have come about. Terrible conflict Dr Russell Malcolm
9
Faculty of Homeopathy
Annual review 2017
President’s
and often frustrating, but it is Let us hope the law can succeed
important we continue to put in reversing NHS England’s
report the case for greater integration
of homeopathy into modern
medical practice. Over the past
ill-informed and short-sighted
decision.
So as not to give my eventual
twelve months, the Faculty has successor the impression that
once again been prominent the president’s role is something
in defending the therapy and of a poisoned chalice, I’m
the clinical freedom of its pleased to report on several
members to practise according more positive developments
to their training and experience. from the last 12 months.
In addition to the detailed In June last year, I attended
submissions we make to various the Homeopathy Research
consultations, members have Institute’s conference on the
appeared in print and on radio beautiful Mediterranean island of
to counter the misinformation Malta. This biennial conference
frequently promulgated by our has become a not-to-be-missed
opponents through the media. event, as it provides a forum for
M
ost of you will know by The Faculty is also named as many of the leading researchers
now that I’m stepping an interested party in the British in homeopathy to present and
down as president at Homeopathic Association’s discuss their important work.
the Faculty’s AGM in March. (BHA) legal challenge to NHS The array of clinical and basic
Although I have enjoyed my England’s consultation on research that is presented is truly
time as Faculty president, my removing homeopathy from inspiring.
four years in office seem to primary care prescribing. At the The very complexity of
have been beset by one major time of writing we are awaiting these research programmes
challenge after another, as our the court’s decision on whether mean it will be awhile before
opponents have intensified there are sufficient grounds any confident conclusions can
their attacks on homeopathy in for a judicial review. The firm be drawn. Nevertheless, many
general and NHS homeopathy in of solicitors engaged by the of the early results from studies
particular. BHA has represented many focussing on the homeopathic
2017 has been no of the UK’s leading charities treatment of specific conditions
different, with NHS England and is vastly experienced in and into homeopathy’s method
recommending GPs stop cases involving public sector of action are very encouraging,
prescribing homeopathy and and regulatory bodies. Having and will hopefully provide a
the Royal College of Veterinary reviewed the BHA’s arguments in basis for further research that
Surgeons (RCVS) issuing a considerable detail, the solicitors will eventually confound and
new position statement on agreed that NHS England’s silence our critics.
complementary therapies, consultation was fundamentally I’m also pleased to announce
which many have interpreted flawed and, among other that 2017 saw the highest
as a thinly veiled attack on the things, has not taken into proper number of successful MFHom
professional competence of consideration the evidence candidates for a number of
our homeopathic veterinary for homeopathy’s use nor years. I’d like to congratulate all
colleagues. considered the negative impact those members who joined the
Responding to these on patients and the NHS if the Faculty over the last 12 months
challenges is time consuming therapy is no longer available. and thank the teaching staff
10simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Annual review 2017
who work so hard to help our support during my presidency. have crossed the desk this
students achieve academic Also, a special mention to our year. In the spring, the Charity
success. chief executive, Greg White, and Commission launched a
One of the most pleasurable his small team of staff, for they consultation on complementary
aspects of being president is take on a huge amount of work and alternative medicines
meeting so many more Faculty for the benefit of us all and do a (CAM), by which detractors
members than I would have had wonderful job. are seeking to change the
I not been elected. It’s reassuring Finally, I would like to wish commission’s policy towards
to hear from those members all members continued success bestowing charitable status on
who are in private practice that in their homeopathic careers. organisations which promote
despite the constant attacks on Through homeopathy we are CAM therapies. Change in this
our profession, their patient lists improving the health and lives area could have implications for
are steadily growing. This is clear of many people, often quite the charitable support provided
indication there is a demand dramatically. And we should by organisations such as the
from the public for a more always remember that fact and British Homeopathic Association
holistic approach to healthcare be proud to be homeopaths and the Blackie Foundation
and that they are more than and of the work we are doing. Trust. It is a tribute to the energy
happy to consider homeopathy and activism of our community
Dr Helen Beaumont
as part of that approach. And that the Charity Commission
President of Faculty
while we continue to fight for received over 670 responses,
Chief
the future of NHS homeopathy, an unprecedented amount
it is good to know that should of feedback for one of their
Executive’s
misguided health service bosses consultations. Consequently, any
eventually make it impossible decision from the review has
to deliver publicly funded
homeopathic care, there are report been deferred to later this year.
Spring 2017 also saw a short
T
opportunities in the private his has been another consultation by the London
sector. eventful year for Borough of Enfield Health
Establishing a private homeopathy and the Commissioning Board and
practice can seem daunting. Faculty. Much has been NHS Enfield CCG governing
But the Faculty has a large accomplished but more work body, which recommended
number of members who decommissioning of
can offer advice, including homeopathic services in Enfield
the independent practice and four other London boroughs.
representative, Dr Jonathan And during the summer, CCGs
Hardy. And the excellent series from Bristol, North Somerset
of articles under the title of and South Gloucestershire
Notes from a Small Practice attempted to run a snap
by Dr Margaret Reid that consultation during the holiday
appeared in simile throughout period on the “future provision
2017 provided a wonderful of homeopathic services”,
introduction to successfully including those provided
practising homeopathy outside by the Portland Centre for
the NHS. Integrative Medicine. They were
I feel very honoured to emboldened by NHS England
have led this organisation for announcing at the same time
the past four years. It has been that it was to conduct a national
challenging but also immensely remains to be done in 2018 consultation on items which
enjoyable. It would, however, be and beyond. It is inescapable should not routinely prescribed
an impossible role without the that much of our work has in primary (and secondary) care,
advice and help from others. So involved pushing back against which included homeopathy
I’d like to take this opportunity the pressure brought to bear and herbal medicine.
to thank my colleagues on on homeopathy by groups of In Bristol the threat of legal
the Faculty council, past and detractors. action halted the review process.
present, for their wonderful A series of “consultations” At national level, however, NHS
11Annual review 2017
England has issued guidance to partnerships. The relationship more user-friendly for Faculty
GPs and CCGs that homeopathy with Thieme is already paying members who are relinquishing
should no longer be prescribed dividends with a significant their licence to practice one
and is recommending that the new partnership forming in the of the conventional medical
Department of Health consider United States (check simile for disciplines, but still practising
blacklisting homeopathic more news in due course). A as homeopaths. Broadening
medicines. The gravity of this partnership agreement has also our community’s appeal is of
situation is such that the Faculty been signed with the Academia course an important element in
has joined legal action led Medico Homeopatica de ensuring the Faculty’s long-term
by the British Homeopathic Barcelona in Cataluña, Spain. future. The Faculty receives
Association (BHA). Real thanks The importance of the requests for membership from
should be extended to all the Faculty’s journal to the wider credible, like-minded supporters
Faculty’s members who have homeopathic community is including psychologists,
been kind enough to support highlighted by news its Impact psychiatrists, dieticians, overseas
the crowdfunding campaign to Factor increased in June, clinicians and homeopaths,
defray the legal costs incurred. cementing its status as the academics, researchers, etc., and
I look forward to reporting on only Medline/PubMed indexed we must consider supporting
this legal challenge in simile homeopathic publication in their joining aspirations.
throughout 2018. the world. Further evidence In the same vein, we are keen
With so much flak coming of Homeopathy’s value can to see continued growth of the
our way, members can be be seen in the 100,000 plus Faculty’s revalidation services.
forgiven for feeling a little individual downloads it achieved Led by Dr David Owen, these
despondent. But without in 2016-2017. services have been recognised
diminishing the significance of by the GMC which is keen
the challenges we face, much
has been achieved in 2017 and It is a tribute for them to be extended to
colleagues working, for example,
there are good reasons for
optimism moving forward. to the energy in functional medicine and/or
environmental medicine via the
Faculty council approved a
new three-year strategic plan
and activism of Suitable Person route in 2018.
So 2018 looks like being
in the summer for growing
our community of healthcare
our community another eventful year. The
current difficulties faced by
professionals. Forging that the Charity veterinary colleagues are
international partnerships using
Homeopathy, the members’ Commission sure to be a recurring theme
and I will be working with
journal, is one key element to
achieving this. received over 670 veterinary dean Peter Gregory
and BAHVS colleagues in their
Homeopathy successfully
moved to a new publisher in
responses, an campaign to get the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons
2017 with Thieme Verlag of unprecedented to reconsider their new position
Germany taking over publishing
responsibilities. This project amount of statement on complementary
therapies. Then we have the
was a significant piece of work
which could not have been feedback for Faculty Congress (the 98th) in
Liverpool in October, which
accomplished without a real
team effort from all concerned,
one of their will underscore the Faculty’s
international and multi-
led by the Journal’s editor-in-
chief Dr Peter Fisher and deputy
consultations. disciplinary character. But above
all I look forward to working
editor Dr Robert Mathie. Thieme
with council to improving the
has offices on every continent Another key theme going
and were, in part, chosen for forward is broadening the Faculty membership experience
their ability to use the journal to Faculty’s appeal by reviewing for you all.
deliver the Faculty’s objective of our membership eligibility Greg White
developing new international criteria. We must become Chief Executive
12CASE STUDY simile • February 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Photo: Shutterstock/Elena Yakusheva
Pulled down,
held down,
trapped!
A case of Castoreum When I got off the plane I didn’t realise
how ill I was. And my husband is not
Why?
P: It’s like burning into my chest, it’s
canadense from very good at saying, “You need to go to really very strong.
Dr Jonathan Hardy. a doctor.” When I got to the emergency
services I was really asthmatic, my
I crave warmth. I feel cold to the
bone. The winter is bad for me, I’m
T
he patient (P) is a woman aged 55, inhalers weren’t helping, I couldn’t always bad in the winter and I have this
whose chief complaint is asthma. breathe. I was petrified I might not be craving for warmth. I put a scarf around
She also suffers from irritable able to breathe.
bowel syndrome, obesity, osteopenia my neck or a wrap on me. I do that all
Last year I struggled with an the time.
and hypothyroidism. Her current infected chest the whole time. I had
medications are albuterol sulfate inhaler, green muck coming out of my chest Why?
beclomethasone inhaler, metformin the whole time. My nose was blocked P: I’m just cold, really deep cold. (She
and levothyroxine. the whole time. wraps her arms around herself.) Cold
P: I feel I haven’t filled out the form Then I had a very bad asthmatic to the bones – really, really deep cold!
properly. That’s because it could go on attack and my peak flow was 230. I I feel this need to feel warm, really
forever. I would say I’ve always been ill. don’t feel my asthma is managed at all. deeply. (Again she wraps her arms around
I know I sound like a hypochondriac. Now I can’t exercise. I used to exercise her chest.)
(She seems anxious. She started talking sometimes twice a day, now just
(Later in the consultation.)
before she sat down and has not removed walking up the stairs I’m out of breath.
her coat. So I say to her to let me just read I feel like a 90-year-old woman. I’m very P: I’m a giving person – I give, give,
through her form before we begin.) sensitive to cigarette smoke. If I just give! I try to be kind to people and I
P: I was brought up in a warm walk past somebody who has been put other people first, but at home
country. From the chest point of view I smoking it’s like I’m being stabbed my younger sisters used to bully me. I
feel I need to dry out. A while ago I got inside. It’s really tightening in my chest. couldn’t stand up for myself and they
pneumonia again, I find now that I’m were always pushing me around. My
What happens if you walk past a
worse in the winter. We went away to father hit me – he used to beat me up.
smoker?
Bermuda and I felt better – again it was
Tell me more about being bullied.
the warmth. Warmth helps me fight P: I have to put my hands over my face.
off anything that’s potentially brewing. (She puts her hands over her mouth.) P: I was bullied at school, my siblings
13CASE STUDY
bullied me, and they used to mock. escape the situation (she repeats the P: Furry. Warm. Cozy. Demonstrative.
In our family whoever shouted the gesture of her arms going outwards) Loving.
loudest won. but I don’t have the courage to. As a
Do you have any strong feelings
What did they do? child I remember running away from
about particular animals?
home and not knowing where to go.
P: They were just unkind and my I really am crying out for help for love, P: When we were talking about it I was
parents … my father was never affection. Crying out for help! just thinking of a rabbit or a mouse –
involved in our upbringing and my something that’s furry.
mother was coping with everything, Analysis
Analysis
and she just allowed them to behave Prey animal: Helpless; submissive;
that way and allowed my father to running away; I need to escape; crying Mammal themes: Furry; Warm; Cozy;
hit me. One day he broke my nose. I out for help Demonstrative; Loving
blame her as much as him because she At this point the consultation had lasted
Mammal: I want love, affection
allowed it to happen and then tried an hour and a half. There were very clear
to blackmail me to not say anything. I P: My husband is lovely but he’s a cold
indications for an animal which was a
was told that we’d be made homeless person. He’s not very demonstrative so I
mammal and a prey creature. However,
if I made it public. It was so controlling; have frustration in that relationship. He’s
beyond that there were no solid clues of
I feel that people have always been so black and white, it doesn’t help me.
any kind. (Usually when a patient names
trying to control me. (She does a hand He is controlling.
a creature it is not their remedy.) So I
gesture with her hands coming in together When someone is controlling what decided to choose a remedy which
on both sides – a squeezing kind of gesture.) is the ef fect it has on you? I knew was not the simillimum but
Describe this (I copy the gesture.) P: It makes me feel vulnerable. would be a similar remedy which
P: Claustrophobic. covered at least a significant part of her
Describe vulnerable. case. I took the following rubrics:
Just talk about this – controlling, P: Vulnerable… feeling left! Potentially
claustrophobic. Generalities; tobacco; aggravates; smell,
I could be left and I wouldn’t have the odour of (18)
P: There are times when I just get into strength to cope with that. Again, it’s
the car and drive because I just want to feeling unloved, not wanted. He’s done Respiration; asthmatic; excitement,
go. (She does an opposite gesture with her that in the past. To make me submissive emotional, aggravates (47)
arms spreading outwards.) he’s said “Right! I’m going to leave you!” Mind; fear; suffocation, of (83)
I know he’s that kind of person – he’s
Let’s go back to that again. Don’t Mind; sadness; respiratory complaints,
worry if you’re repeating yourself. so black and white – he would never
in (15)
Just talk again about being apologise. He doesn’t apologise. So it’s
that feeling of being vulnerable. Again, The remedy that comes first is
controlled and claustrophobic.
it’s a feeling like being a little, maybe, Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco).
P: Just a feeling of needing to escape, a little child or a mouse. (She does a Lobelia Inflata
to leave, feeling helpless. And I feel gesture of hunching up with her arms
that by coming back I’m having to around her chest.) Vermeulen: Psychogenic Dyspnoea;
be submissive again and I feel I have Chilly; Tobacco: aversion and
to apologise even though I don’t Say more about that feeling like a aggravates; Asthmatic attacks
necessarily feel I’m wrong, but I feel I have mouse, like a child.
Phatak : Constriction or oppressive
to keep the peace, to keep the family P: Feeling timid and again feeling I fullness in chest
together. It’s a feeling I don’t count, I don’t count.
feel like I’m at the bottom of the pile. Murphy: Panting; threatened with
Like a little mouse – just describe suffocation; fear of death
Case analysis at this stage that more.
Mangialavori’s additions: Mind:
Animal themes: bullied, mocked; P: Timid. (She repeats the gesture of Hypochondriasis; Respiration: asthmatic:
whoever shouted loudest won; my wrapping her arms around herself.) Insular exertion; after: slight; Respiration:
father hit me – wanting to hide. asthmatic: nervous; Respiration:
Prey animal themes: I need to Analysis difficult: excitement aggravates
escape; submissive; bottom of the pile
Animal themes: He is controlling; Prescription: Lobelia inflata 200 x
Mammal expressions: I feel cold I feel vulnerable; I don’t have the 1 dose
to the bones; I need warmth; I feel strength to cope with that Follow up at three week s
helpless
Mammal: He’s cold; unloved; not How are you getting on?
P: It’s like feeling helpless … I feel if I wanted; I feel like a mouse
stay I’m being … not physically abused, P: From last time I think I feel better. I’ve
Prey animal: I feel timid; I want to hide only had one asthmatic episode when
it’s going back to that feeling of my
father hitting me and being submissive Think about animals – what comes to somebody was smoking, but it wasn’t
and leaving is my way of trying to mind when you think about animals? so intense. It was uncomfortable.
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