Vitamin Squad

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy of a non‐sulphur‐based homeopathic preparation and a sulphur‐containing natural product derived from Allium sativum (Source: Medical and Veterinary Entomology)

Last night I attempted to take an online homeopathy test. Did I pass? Read on to find out …One of the criticisms I often get from homeopathy supporters is that I don’t really understand it. I’m not an expert in the mystical art, so how on Earth can I pass judgement on it? So in an effort to prove them wrong, I took this online homeopathy test that’s been doing the rounds on Twitter (tip of the hat to @zeno001 and @david_colquhoun). Here’s how I got on with each of …

Upcoming talks at Skeptics in the Pub and Science Online, and a strange happening with the blogJust a quick note to say that I’ll be giving a talk in Manchester on the night of Thursday, September 9th, on the impact of dodgy science in the developing world. For more details, take a look at the Manchester Skeptics in the Pub website.Martin Robbins is a science writer and freelance journalist covering science, skepticism and politics at The Guardian, The Lay Scientist and beyond!In this talk Martin will give us a more …

Background:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the role of pharmacists in low-income settings be expanded to address the increasing complexity of HIV antiretroviral (ARV) and co-infection drug regimens. However, in many such settings including in India, many pharmacists and pharmacy workers are often neither well trained nor aware of the intricacies of HIV treatment. The aims of our study were to determine the availability of ART, provision of ARVs, knowledge about ARVs, attitudes towards HIV-infected persons and self-perceived need for training among community-based pharmacies in an urban area of …

Evidence-free politics was recently on display when the UK’s Department of Health rejected a call by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee to stop funding the use of homoeopathy in the National Health Service (NHS). This it is claimed will emancipate patients to indulge in choice, even though “His [the Secretary of State for Health] position remains that the evidence of efficacy and the scientific basis of homeopathy is highly questionable”. (Source: LANCET)

Source: Pulse
Area: News
According to a report in Pulse, the Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group (GMMMG) covering ten PCTs has told PCTs and commissioners across the region that homeopathic treatments cannot be recommended, as an independent review commissioned by another trust, NHS West Kent, found they are neither clinically nor cost effective. The chair of the GMMMG and chief executive of NHS Bolton told Pulse he was keen not to appear to be wasting NHS resources. The ruling by prescribing advisors in Manchester follows the Department of Health’s (DoH) recent …

A prescribing advisory group covering ten PCTs has stepped in to prevent commissioners from funding homeopathic treatments, claiming the effects are not significant enough to warrant NHS cash. (Source: Pulse)

A prescribing advisory group covering ten PCTs has stepped in to prevent commissioners from funding homeopathic treatments, claiming the effects are not significant enough to warrant NHS cash. (Source: Pulse)

Trusts in Greater Manchester advised not to support ‘low priority’ treatment (Source: BMA daily feed)

A report of the largest study of homeopathy ever undertaken, based on data from over 11 million people (the entire population of Cuba), is published in the journal Homeopathy.1 It provides fascinating evidence that a highly dilute substance, prepared according to homeopathic principles, may contribute to the prevention of Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis (also known as Weil’s Disease) is an infectious disease carried by rats and caused by bacteria called spirochetes. People contract the disease through contact with contaminated water… (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)