The negative bias of unfavorable reports on homeopathic medicine was exposed by Eric L. Foxman, R.Ph. in a presentation given to attendees of the National Nutritional Foods Association annual show.  Some studies appear to be intended to discredit this 200 year old system of therapeutics; the underlying negative prejudice of these reports is easily seen when the real data is examined.  Foxman, Secretary of the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (A.A.H.P.) explained, “Any preconceived conclusion can be proven by choosing the right multifaceted statistical analysis.”

Foxman focused on a Swiss study that claimed alternative medicine has no beneficial effect on health and, in fact, forces medical costs to rise.  He described the flaws in research design, inappropriate analytical methods, poor randomization and inadequate division into study and control groups, and the unsuccessful basis for comparison between the groups.

Seminar participants were surprised to learn of the study’s conclusions which were so contrary to their own expectations of positive benefits and lowered costs from the use of complementary medicine.  Foxman urged the participants to “Exercise a healthy dose of skepticism when reading scientific reports which violate your inherent sense of the truth.  A little digging will reveal exactly where the discrepancies lie.”

A subsequent careful review of the facts by three independent organizations has shown a very different interpretation.  This has lead to the Swiss publication of a new booklet entitled: Natural Healing Saves Costs and Improves Health.  “This may explain why homeopathy continues to gain acceptance and use around the world,” adds Mr. Bell, a Board Member of the A.A.H.P..

“If a well designed and executed study finds a ‘statistically significant’ association, this does not mean that the study has shown a cause and effect relationship.  Unfortunately, in the haste to say something negative about homeopathy, such false conclusions are disseminated as scientific truths, when in fact they are nothing more than wishful thinking,” pointed out Foxman. 

The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists provides educational material for health professionals and consumers regarding homeopathic medicine.  For a free list of well founded scientific references on Homeopathy or the association’s educational materials, contact the A.A.H.P. message center by phone or fax at 1-800-478-0421.