Homeopathic products

The few homeopathic products which were tested against GIN in sheep and cattle were based on plants and were not associated with a decrease in the worm burdens or faecal egg counts. However, considering the basic principles of homeopathy, it is likely that this approach reacts via modulation of the host s immune system (Cabaret et al., 2002). The use of non-classical parameters for assessing an antiparasitic effect should therefore be considered in future studies of homeopathy. 

Prescription Drugs OTC Drugs Vitamins and Minerals Other Nutritional Supplements Herbal Products OTC Homeopathic Products... 

Many proponents allege that homeopathic products resemble vaccines because both provide a small stimulus that triggers an immune response. This comparison is not valid. The amount of active ingredients in vaccines is much greater and is measurable. Immunizations produce measurable antibodies, but ultradilute homeopathic products have no measurable active ingredients and produce no measurable response. In addition, vaccines are used preventively, not for curing symptoms. 

Even if fhe proving reporfs were consistent, there is neither a logical reason why substances that could produce symptoms should cure such symptoms nor evidence from appropriately designed sfudies fhaf the "law of similars" acfually operates. The real way to test whether something works is to test whether it helps sick people. This requires clinical trials in which people who receive the test substance are compared with people who do not. No homeopathic product has ever been proven effective and a vast majority of producfs have never even been clinically tested. 

In 1999, The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics concluded that "the chemical content of homeopathic products is often xmdefined, and some are so diluted that they are xmlikely to contain any of fhe original maferial. These producfs have not been proven effective for any clinical condition. There is no good reason to use them." ... 

Government agencies have never had sufficient resources to cope with the enormous amount of deception in the marketing of herbs, dietary supplements, and homeopathic products. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act made the problem worse. Without an adequate law, the FDA cannot curb the deceptive marketing of what DSHEA calls dietary supplements. Regulators have the power to ban homeopathic remedies but have shown no interest in doing so. 

Homeopathic products should be banned. If that is not politically feasible, the agency should issue a public warning that none of them has been proven effective. 

Several sources provide reliable information on dietary supplements, herbs, and homeopathic products. Some reconunended information sources include the following ... 

The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products (ABRH) ... 

The author of a review of the safety of homeopathic products concluded that they are usually safe, but that continued vigilance is in order, not least because of the currently high popularity of homeopathy (138). In response, it was pointed out that under-reporting is high, that homeopathic products are often mistaken for herbal medicines, and that the main risks of homeopathy relate to the prescriber rather than the medicine (139). 

In Germany, the health authorities have proposed the withdrawal of sassafras-containing medicines, including homeopathic products up to D3, from the market (17). Of particular concern is the uncontrolled availability of sassafras oil because of its use in aromatherapy. Internal use of sassafras oil in recommended doses up to 12 drops/day can lead to a daily intake up to 0.2 g of safrole (18). 

Since all the relevant and recent EC Directives have been implemented in Belgium, all classes of medicinal products mentioned in them have to be registered. Homeopathic products are approved on their analytical dossier of the undiluted ingredients and other substances that are used in their manufacture. They are marketed only on the basis of homeopathic indications and are not allowed to make any therapeutic claim. The evaluation criteria are determined by EC regulations. When necessary, the Inspectorate issues circulars for products or classes of... 

Specialties sh lll mean finished homeopathic products with specific indications containing a number of different principles. 

Homeopathic medicines are defined according to Law No. 94-43 of 18 Jcmu-ciry 1994. As with all other homeopathic products, substances or compositions, they are manufactured according to specific homeopathic methods described in the Pharmacopoeia of France, Europe or another Member State of the European Community. A homeopathic medicine may contain several active ingredients. 

No formal legislation (ordinances, regulations) with respect to homeopathic products exists. New directives have recently been issued by the Pharmaceutical... 

Labeling The label has to indicate, among other things, that the product is a homeopathic product and that the Ministry of Health states that there is no proof of the therapeutic effectiveness of the product. 

For homeopathic medicines without indication it is not necessary for the MA to prove efficacy. However, these products have to satisfy all the other conditions of quality and safety. The same registration procedure is applicable for these products as for medicines. When a homeopathic product has a therapeutic indication, the registration file has to include efficacy. 

At the end of 1995 the Europecin directive 92/73/EEC on homeopathic medicines was implemented in Dutch legislation. This Decree divides these products in clcis-sical homeopathic products (absence of an indication product is only intended for oral or external use the grade of dilution is guciranteed harmless) and other homeopathic products such as injectables and not very diluted products. 

The submission of the first applications for classical homeopathic products took place in the first quarter of 1997 and will end on 29 December 1999. The main objective is to assess the different singular products in all categories. All applications for registration of singular homeopathic products have to document that the products fulfill the definition of homeopathic pharmaceutical products. 

Other homeopathic products are all of the products that cannot be classified as classical. Criteria for the assessment of these products still have to be determined. 

The MOH approves the membership of the SPPC. The SPPC has the following commissions that deal with the following areas ph)d o-products, antibiotics, hormonal and enz5mie products, blood products and blood substitutes, radiopharmaceutical products, homeopathic products, recombinant products, immunobiolog-ical products and a commission for the review of domestic pharmaceuticals (created in view of the new edition of the Russian Pharmacopoeia. 

The SPLC bureau for generic and proprietary homeopathic products and products of vegetal and natural origin. 

The therapeutic effect fails or is insufficiently proven by the manufacturer with the exception of homeopathic products. 

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