Dan
2013-07-14 22:27:42 UTC
http://skep.li/1bdYZM0
Homeopathy claims banned for ?misleading? readers
By ANGUS HOWARTH
Published on 03/07/2013 00:00
CLAIMS made on the Society of Homeopaths website that controversial
therapies could treat conditions such as arthritis and hayfever have
been banned in a landmark ruling by advertising watchdogs.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has had a remit since 2011 to
investigate claims made online, and the organisation said it had a large
number of complaints relating to claims on homeopathy websites.
It chose to investigate the website of industry body the Society of
Homeopaths as a test case ?to establish our lead position on claims for
homeopathy?.
The authority also looked at the body?s Twitter page, which included the
tweet: ?Antidepressant prescriptions up by 43 per cent. For more
holistic healthcare which doesn?t rely on drugs try #homeopathy?, with a
link to the home page.
The ASA found that all of the claims investigated were misleading and
breached guidelines on health advertising.
The society?s homepage states: ?There is a growing body of research
evidence suggesting that treatment by a homeopath is clinically
effective, cost-effective and safe.
?Currently, there is sufficient research evidence to support the use of
homeopathic treatment for the following medical conditions: allergies
and upper respiratory tract infections, ankle sprain, bronchitis,
childhood diarrhoea, chronic fatigue, ear infections, fibromyalgia, hay-
fever, influenza, osteoarthritis, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatic
diseases, sinusitis, vertigo.
?Your local homeopath would be happy to discuss any health problems with
you and offer advice about whether they might be able to help.?
The ASA asked whether the site could discourage essential treatment for
conditions for which medical supervision should be sought, and whether
the claims that homeopathy could treat the medical conditions could be
substantiated.
In relation to the tweet, it investigated whether it could discourage
essential treatment for depression, a medical condition for which
medical supervision should be sought, and misleadingly implied that
homeopathic remedies could alleviate symptoms of depression.
The Society of Homeopaths said it did not believe there was anything on
the web page in question, or their website as a whole, which discouraged
patients from seeking medical treatment.
Its site recommended maintaining a relationship with a GP or specialist
and said homepathy could be used ?alongside conventional medicine?, it
pointed out.
But the ASA found that the claims were in breach of advertising rules.
A spokesman said: ?We considered that the reference to these specific
medical conditions meant the ad was targeted at consumers with a pre-
existing diagnosis of these conditions or who were suffering from those
symptoms.
?We considered the average consumer targeted by the ad was therefore
particularly vulnerable.?
All medical claims ?must be backed by evidence?, he said.
Homeopathy claims banned for ?misleading? readers
By ANGUS HOWARTH
Published on 03/07/2013 00:00
CLAIMS made on the Society of Homeopaths website that controversial
therapies could treat conditions such as arthritis and hayfever have
been banned in a landmark ruling by advertising watchdogs.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has had a remit since 2011 to
investigate claims made online, and the organisation said it had a large
number of complaints relating to claims on homeopathy websites.
It chose to investigate the website of industry body the Society of
Homeopaths as a test case ?to establish our lead position on claims for
homeopathy?.
The authority also looked at the body?s Twitter page, which included the
tweet: ?Antidepressant prescriptions up by 43 per cent. For more
holistic healthcare which doesn?t rely on drugs try #homeopathy?, with a
link to the home page.
The ASA found that all of the claims investigated were misleading and
breached guidelines on health advertising.
The society?s homepage states: ?There is a growing body of research
evidence suggesting that treatment by a homeopath is clinically
effective, cost-effective and safe.
?Currently, there is sufficient research evidence to support the use of
homeopathic treatment for the following medical conditions: allergies
and upper respiratory tract infections, ankle sprain, bronchitis,
childhood diarrhoea, chronic fatigue, ear infections, fibromyalgia, hay-
fever, influenza, osteoarthritis, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatic
diseases, sinusitis, vertigo.
?Your local homeopath would be happy to discuss any health problems with
you and offer advice about whether they might be able to help.?
The ASA asked whether the site could discourage essential treatment for
conditions for which medical supervision should be sought, and whether
the claims that homeopathy could treat the medical conditions could be
substantiated.
In relation to the tweet, it investigated whether it could discourage
essential treatment for depression, a medical condition for which
medical supervision should be sought, and misleadingly implied that
homeopathic remedies could alleviate symptoms of depression.
The Society of Homeopaths said it did not believe there was anything on
the web page in question, or their website as a whole, which discouraged
patients from seeking medical treatment.
Its site recommended maintaining a relationship with a GP or specialist
and said homepathy could be used ?alongside conventional medicine?, it
pointed out.
But the ASA found that the claims were in breach of advertising rules.
A spokesman said: ?We considered that the reference to these specific
medical conditions meant the ad was targeted at consumers with a pre-
existing diagnosis of these conditions or who were suffering from those
symptoms.
?We considered the average consumer targeted by the ad was therefore
particularly vulnerable.?
All medical claims ?must be backed by evidence?, he said.