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GPs shun homeopathy as prescriptions halve
18 Jul 08
GP prescriptions for homeopathy have almost halved in two years, placing huge question marks over future provision of the controversial treatment.
Figures obtained by Pulse from the Prescriptions Pricing Authority show the number of prescriptions for homeopathic preparations dropped from 83,000 in 2005 to 49,300 in 2007.
The drop occurred against the backdrop of an increase in the overall number of prescriptions written in primary care, from 720 million in 2005 to 796 million in 2007.
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The new figures demonstrate the squeeze on PCT contracts at homoeopathic hospitals is also being reflected in primary care, with the cost of homeopathic prescribing plummeting in line with the number of items, by 46%. The total spend in 2007 was just £321,000 – just 0.006% of the total prescribing budget - compared with £593,000 in 2005.
Professor Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at Peninsula Medical School in Exeter [check] and a vocal critic of homeopathy, said the huge drop in prescribing reflected a shift in attitude within the medical profession.
‘The figures reflect a more critical attitude on homeopathy and a shift towards evidence-based medicine. The trend is bound to increase as the evidence that homeopathic remedies are pure placebos is getting stronger,’ he said.
But Dr Tim Robinson, a GP who provides a local homeopathic service in Dorset, said the huge drop reflected an orchestrated ‘hate campaign’ against homeopathy that had been led by Professor Ernst.
‘Patients are not asking for it because of what has been written in the press and this also reflects the disillusionment of medical homeopaths with the system and cuts in funding from PCTs,’ he said.
Pulse can also reveal that efforts to provide a formal regulatory framework for homeopathy have stalled.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency revealed only two homeopathic remedies had applied for a licensed medical indication under their National Rules Scheme launched in September 2006.
Neither application has been approved.
Applications for indications under the National Rules Scheme must be supported by a dossier of data on quality safety and efficacy.
Readers' comments
The last sentence in this article is wrong. The National Rules Scheme requires no evidence at all of efficacy. This is because the evidence doesn't exist, and GPs who prescribe homeopathy are lying to their patients.
I have to turn away most patients asking for homeopathic treatment in my NHS practice as I just do not have the additional time required. Most prescriptions I issue are dispensed OTC by the pharmacist as they are cheaper than the prescription charge. This will apply to my likeminded collegues' prescriptions as well. The New Contract, if you happen to work in a busy practice, has all but killed off homeopathy (as far as I and my patients are concerned). The UK could save the money it throws after people like Edzard Ernst. What are his qualifications anyway?
PCT funding cuts are a contributing factor, but it does not mean that patients are no longer interested receiving homeopathy on the NHS. Prescriptions cost £7.10 so it is possible that GPs are recommending patients to purchase remedies direct from pharmacies or manufacturers as this would be cheaper.
Why does anyone get upset about negative comments from patients and politicians, when bona fide colleagues like the splendid Les Rose write that 'GPs who prescribe homeopathy are lying to their patients'. (25 july 2008) Get a life, Les, there is a fascinating subject out there, waiting to be explored. It might be more fun than maligning your colleagues.
It is interesting that Edzard Ernst should say 'the huge drop in prescribing reflected a shift in attitude within the medical profession', whilst at the same time feeling it necessary, along with some of his colleagues, to write to PCTs disuading then from referring to homeopathic hospitals. If anyone should require the evidence base for homeopathic efficacy I would be happy to furnish it.
Peter Walton writes: "If anyone should require the evidence base for homeopathic efficacy I would be happy to furnish it."
Please go ahead. We're all waiting (and we've been waiting for a very long time already ...).
Please don't delay too long, so you'll get James Randi's $1,000,000 in the process.
It's been more than 3 weeks since Peter Walton wrote: "If anyone should require the evidence base for homeopathic efficacy I would be happy to furnish it." We're still patiently waiting ...
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