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The US Government is Finally Telling People that Homeopathy is a Sham (vox.com)

Posted by msmash on from the how-about-that dept.

Not a good news for people who trust homeopathic drugs. The Federal Trade Commission has issued an enforcement policy statement that requires over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic drugs and products makers to disclose in their advertisement and labeling that there is no evidence that Homeopathic products are effective and also mention that modern medical experts don't recognize any claims of effectiveness only based on homeopathic theories. From a report on Vox: This FTC ruling is definitely a step in the right direction of raising awareness about the lack of evidence behind homeopathy. "This is a real victory for reason, science, and the health of the American people," said Michael De Dora, public policy director for the Center for Inquiry, a science-based advocacy and education group that's been pushing for more homeopathy oversight. "The FTC has made the right decision to hold manufacturers accountable for the absolutely baseless assertions they make about homeopathic products." But it doesn't mean these "medicines" will disappear from store shelves. The FTC only has the right to crack down on misleading marketing claims, and if the makers of homeopathic remedies clearly state that their products are based on no science, they can still sell them.

7 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. Thanks for catching up!! by HumanWiki · · Score: 4, Funny

    To the rest of us.. Years ago..

    1. Re:Thanks for catching up!! by The-Ixian · · Score: 5, Funny

      Next thing you know, the govmint will require news sources to fact check!

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:Thanks for catching up!! by Hope+Thelps · · Score: 5, Funny

      Next thing you know, the govmint will require news sources to fact check!

      Hell no, from there it's a short slippery slope to requiring them to spellcheck and where would that leave Slashdot?

      --
      To summarise the summary of the summary: people are a problem. ~ h2g2
    3. Re:Thanks for catching up!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Placebos are great! I use them all the time. Whenever I have a choice between a name-brand medication and a placebo, I choose the placebo every time. My arthritis has never felt better.

  2. everything I say is a lie by Pseudonymous+Powers · · Score: 4, Funny

    But it doesn't mean these "medicines" will disappear from store shelves. The FTC only has the right to crack down on misleading marketing claims, and if the makers of homeopathic remedies clearly state that their products are based on no science, they can still sell them.

    So essentially, you can still sell your homeopathic remedies as long you're willing to water down your claims as to their efficacy until those claims can no longer be detected.

    But if watered-down homeopathy actually turns out to be the cure for homeopathy, won't that mean they were right all along?

  3. Sadly, I had a friend who used homeopathy. by tlambert · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sadly, I had a friend who used homeopathy.

    He forgot to take it one day, and OD'ed.

  4. Re:Homeopathy may work by thePowerOfGrayskull · · Score: 3, Funny

    So you're saying that homeopathy is like.. Tinkerbell?