“Homeopathy” according to definitions of the Food and Drug Administration (CPG 7132.15) is the practice of treating syndromes and conditions which constitute disease with remedies that have produced similar syndromes and conditions in healthy subjects. The Agency encourages the practice of homeopathy in accordance with the compendium of homeotherapeutics. This compendium to the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States contains basic premises and concepts for homeopathic remedies that meet criteria of the “proving” process and thus eligibility for inclusion on the partial list of the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States.
The American Medical Association has been quoted as encouraging doctors to become aware of alternative therapies. In a recent FDA article, Jim Fox, an AMA spokesman, suggests using them when and where appropriate. According to the FDA article, entitled Homeopathy: Real Medicine or Empty Promises by Isadora Stehlin Ed Miraco of the Center for Drug Safety, Evaluation and Research says, “homeopathic products are regulated differently from drugs because homeopathics contain little or no active ingredients”, and thus, “from a toxicity, poison-control standpoint”, safety evaluation was deemed to be “unnecessary”. Miraco continues, “…overall, the disparate treatment has been primarily based on the uniqueness of homeopathic products”, and “the lack of concern over their safety because they have little or no pharmacologically active ingredients”.
Importantly, “…Individualized dilution remedies are based on a person’s symptoms and personality. Patients receiving homeopathic care frequently feel worse before they get better because homeopathic medicines often stimulate, rather than suppress symptoms.” This is a relevant part of homeopathic preparations because symptoms are viewed as the body’s effort to restore health.
According to the article, FDA is aware of few reports of illnesses associated with the use of homeopathic products. Agency review of those reported illnesses, “discounted the homeopathic product involved as the cause of the adverse reaction”.
Although homeopathic products are not exempt from all FDA regulation, the article also declares that “if a homeopathic drug claims to treat a serious disease such as cancer, it can be sold by prescription only. The homeopathic preparation used in the Proving is for support of humoral immunity, however, the injectible must be dispensed by a licensed physician’s prescription.
©2008 IntegraHealth.info, all rights reserved.