Mass overdose in Great Britain protests homeopathy – hundreds not injured
January 30, 2010, 3:20 pm
The Merseyside Skeptics Society (MSS) today carried out their planned mass overdose of homeopathic medications outside Boots chemist shops throughout England and Scotland. Homeopathy is a branch of alternative medicine based upon taking extremely dilute preparations of substances which — in larger doses — cause symptoms similar to those that the patient is experiencing. Some proponents claim that although their medications are extremely dilute — sometimes to the point of containing no medicine at all — the process of serial dilutions changes water in ways that are beneficial. In a figure I find astounding, MailOnline reports that the National Health Service has a £4billion annual budget for homeopathic medications.
For a list of homeopathic preparatons, click here.
wench Says:
Nice.
Homeopathy: people taking “less is more” to a logical extreme of stupidity.
January 31st, 2010
precordialthump Says:
FOUR BILLION POUNDS!!!
That’s in equal parts disgusting and depressing.
What the hell is going on?!
Chris
February 2nd, 2010
precordialthump Says:
Just did a bit of a check – looks like the Mail made an error – they probably meant 4 MILLION pounds…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/31/homeopathic-remedies-nhs
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/truth+behind+nhss+homeopathy+budget/3204562
Still way too much! (i.e. > zero)
Chris
February 2nd, 2010
Leon Says:
Chris:
Thanks for clarifying this — 4 million pounds seems much more believable.
February 2nd, 2010
Healthcare consumer Says:
Apparently 4 million pounds is enough to cause destructive jealously in someone. The placebo effect is real, however in order for the effect to work, the patient needs to believe that the pill has potency.
So what is the motive of the spoiler skeptics? It does not seem to be the well-being of the patient population. First do no harm…
February 3rd, 2010
precordialthump Says:
Interesting anonymous comment, ‘Healthcare Consumer’. Makes me wonder if you might be better named ‘Homeopathy Retailer’?
You don’t have to pay money for an ineffective treatment in order to reap the benefit of the placebo effect. Why not use a treatment that actually works and get the benefit of the placebo effect. The treatment doesn’t even have to be a pill or drug.
People selling homeopathy are not selling a placebo, they are selling a lie. That is the motive of the skeptics.
Regards,
Chris Nickson
February 4th, 2010