Brilliant action In Amsterdam today, many members of the Anti-Vuggling Association are engaged in the so-called “suicidal” action. By taking an “overdose” of homeopathic remedies, they want to prove that pills and potions have no effect. “Homeopathy is really rubbish,” says anesthesiologist and anti-Quackery board member Catherine de Jong v Edie NL.
“It’s a scam. Extensive research has been done for 40 years but there is no evidence that it works. Medically speaking, it’s completely useless and a strange health ritual.”
European figures from the EASAC show that nearly 700,000 Dutch people consult a homeopath each year. “Billions are being spent around the world on all kinds of treatments that don’t help.” What De Jong proves today is the fact that, according to her, false information is being given and some homeopathic remedies are also reimbursed by health insurance companies. “People are led to believe they are receiving effective treatment when they are not. This can also be dangerous because people are not getting the medical care they need.”
The latter also worries Ruud Colin van Brakel of the Institute for the Responsible Use of Medicine. “Using homeopathic remedies can be harmful to health if you think you’re treating serious health problems with something that doesn’t work at all,” he tells Editie NL.
placebo
He thinks the Society’s action against quackery is a ludicrous way of demonstrating the lack of active substances in homeopathic remedies. “They’re not medicines. Buying them is really, really a waste of money. All treatments provide a placebo effect, so the idea of using homeopathic remedies can do something.”
He also understands that people want to use these resources. “I think it’s nice that people don’t go to the doctor for every little thing, that they want to handle some care themselves. But a smart chemist will also tell you that you shouldn’t mess with it for too long.”
The Homeopathic Association, which organizes Homeopathy Week, did not want to respond to Editie NL.
