Re: Homeopathic overdose protest in Boots | Forum

Merrick Jan 27, 2010 16:06:44

Replying to handofdave

handofdave wrote:

I certainly wouldn't argue that Western medicine is beyond reproach...

i don't think anyone is.

handofdave wrote:

so if people want to believe in it, I'm not going to tell them different.

People can believe whatever crap they like, but the country's leading pharmacist has a duty to act on what we know. When they've seen the evidence and concede that homeopathic pills are just nibs of sugar, they should stop selling them as medicine.

handofdave wrote:

My mother, who's a pretty rational, no-nonsense person, swears by things like acupuncture and magnets in the treatment of her aches and pains.

There's some evidence for acupuncture working. I've no idea about magnets. But, powerful as the placebo effect is at curing, and free as your mom is to think what she likes, medical professionals shouldn't be pimping stuff to her they know has no medicinal value; especially when she could be getting something that does work instead.

dee Jan 27, 2010 17:19:35

Replying to Merrick

Pathetic protest imo. Homeopathy can work for some if you get the 'right' remedy.

handofdave Jan 27, 2010 18:27:20

Replying to Merrick

Merrick wrote:

handofdave wrote:

so if people want to believe in it, I'm not going to tell them different.

If your argument is that the insurance/public health system shouldn't be paying for it, I agree with you.

At the same time, I have to point out that big pharma, with its giant profits, has (in the USA anyhow) muscled their way into a position where they have enormous control over the healthcare system. Their leverage allows them to attack nontraditional medicine's legality and grant themselves power over what doctors prescribe. As a result, we've got people going broke paying for insanely expensive drugs that carry dangerous side effects... admittedly, some effective, but some not so much.

Am I against quackery? Yes. Am I also against corporate seizure of the doctor-patient relationship? Oh yes indeed.