Homeopathy in Questions

A recent report by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) raised a big question mark on a 250 year old medicine system. A review of 225 studies on homeopathy done by Australian scientists concluded that this medical treatment is ineffective and there is no proof of its effectiveness.  However NHMRC says that there are no reliable estimates regarding use of homeopathy in Australia but 2009 WHO review found that Australians spends an estimated $9.59 million on industry annually.

According to WHO, homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world. WHO says that annual sales of homeopathic drugs accounts to Rs 8,400 crore globally (Previous data), and it is expected to touch Rs 52,000 crore by 2017. Homeopathy is practiced in 66 countries and the treatment is individualized.

Homeopathic medicine system is very popular in India and its market size is rising despite of the claims of its ineffectiveness by western countries. India’s registered homeopathic medical practitioners raised two folds from 1.05 lakh in 1980 to 2.46 lakh in 2010 and homeopathic hospitals raised four folds from 1,686 in 1980 to about 7,000 in 2010. The study conducted by ASSOCHAM said that Indian homeopathic market size was about Rs 2,785 crore in 2010 and it is expected to grow 30% annually.

India has setup a ministry to promote yoga and traditional medicine as PM Narendra Modi is on mission to raise awareness and appeal of home grown health treatment. Homeopathic medicine is among the popular traditional medicines as compared to ayurvedic and unani and siddha. The Indian government allocated 10.69 Billion Rupees ($174 Million) for the development and promotion of traditional medicine in 2014-15 financial year.  On one side studies are neglecting homeopathic medicine and on other side government is supporting traditional treatments. Our people who are using this treatment have their faith attached with this medicine despite of studies outcome.

Some historical data supports homeopathic medicine and shows that it is more effective than conventional treatment in treating serious diseases. The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed over 22 million people worldwide and more than 500,000 in the United States. 70% of those treated with conventional medicine survived, while the survival rate for those treated homeopathically was more than 98%. Similarly During the cholera epidemic of 1849 in Cincinnati, local newspapers reported survival rates of 40-52% in the general population, with a 97% survival rate for those treated with homeopathy. There are some more data points which inclined towards effectiveness of homeopathic medicine, but the data is quantitative and not qualitative. According to D.S Rawat, the Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, people turns to allopathy in emergency situations however in chronic illness people prefers homeopathy which is considered to be slow but offers sure treatment.

The outcome of report against a medical treatment can affect billions of lives i.e. the people who are taking treatment and the homeopathic practitioners as well.  People who are directly and indirectly related to homeopathy are not ready to accept this outcome of this report. The important question which is still popping up in people’s mind is about the validity of report and its outcome and if this report is correct then what about the people who claim to become better by using this medical treatment. More clarity is required for affecting the beliefs of people who are related to this treatment. No homeopathic doctor or the people who are taking treatment are going to be effected by this report but it is enough to create a seed of doubt among people. Now it will be interesting to see the effect of this report and how the homeopathic world denies this outcome. But my question is if it is ineffective then how come this practice is continuing since more than 250 years? Well the coming time may clear out the clouds of doubts.