Pharmaceutical Society of Australia script to pharmacies is the wrong medicine.
Letter to pharmacies fails to mention evidence in support of homoeopathy’s effectiveness.
In an apparent move to pre-empt a pending decision by Australia’s Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has issued an open letter to community pharmacy banner and buyer groups in Australia instructing them to “cease all activities that encourage the stocking, promotion, recommendation or marketing of homoeopathy”.
The letter explicitly cites a flawed 2015 report by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) which is currently under investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
The 2015 NHMRC report on homoeopathy used arbitrary criteria to dismiss the findings of studies revealing the effectiveness of homoeopathy. It is widely known that the matter has been under Ombudsman investigation since 2016 and that a decision is imminent.
Over 100,000 people have signed a petition for a Senate inquiry as part of the Your Health Your Choice consumer campaign, protesting scientific and procedural bias marring the Government funded report.
Supporters of complementary medicine worldwide have also been calling on the NHMRC to come clean on the fact that the 2015 report was actually a second attempt. Freedom of Information documents have revealed that a first report was produced then hidden. More than 73,000 people worldwide have signed the #ReleaseTheFirstReport online petition.
Numerous studies reflect evidence for homoeopathy’s effectiveness, and homeopathic medicines are recognised therapeutic products in Australia.
Petrina Reichman, Vice President of the Australian Homoeopathic Association, said: “The timing of the PSA’s letter is interesting, coming so soon before an expected Ombudsman ruling. Given that the PSA has its ear to the ground in pharmaceutical and government circles, it is surely aware that the Ombudsman review has been going on and a conclusion is expected to be announced soon.
“If the Ombudsman rules that the NHMRC report on homoeopathy is invalid, the PSA could be left with egg on their face, opening themselves up to possible legal challenge over their action.”
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CONTACT: Australian Homoeopathic Association (AHA) National Office – 0421 672 023
RESOURCES:
Your Health Your Choice – https://www.yourhealthyourchoice.com.au
Release the First Report – https://releasethefirstreport.com/
Homeopathy Research Institute (HRI) – https://www.hri-research.org/
SOURCES:
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's communique to pharmacy banner and buying groups.
