There is no reliable evidence that homeopathy can treat health conditions, a major review of the practice by the National Health and Medical Research Council has concluded.
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Australian experts in evidence-based medicine were asked by the NHMRC to review published systematic reviews of homeopathy and government reports on homeopathy which covered more than 60 conditions including asthma, eczema, lower back pain, nausea, depression, malaria and HIV.
While homeopaths claim they can treat all conditions in people by supporting their wellbeing, the NHMRC Draft Information Paper on the Evidence on Homeopathy released on Wednesday said ''there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for treating health conditions''. It also said: ''People who choose homeopathy instead of proven conventional treatment may put their health at risk if safe and evidence-based treatments are rejected or delayed in favour of homeopathic treatment.'' The draft is now open for public consultation until May 26.
Ian Musgrave, a senior lecturer in the school of medicine sciences at the University of Adelaide, said homeopathy was based on two fundamental premises, ''like-treats-like'', such as using a substance that causes fever to treat fever, and that substances become more potent the more they were diluted.
Australian Homeopathic Association spokesman Greg Cope said he was disappointed with the review for dismissing some studies supporting homeopathy and he said more submissions would be made to the NHMRC.
Mr Cope said there were about 2000 homeopaths in Australia who generally charged $80 to $100 for an initial consultation and about $10 for prescriptions.
John Dwyer, an immunologist and emeritus professor of medicine at the University of NSW, said the review was important in light of ''dangerously misleading'' claims by homeopaths ''that their 'vaccines' could safely be substituted for standard, scientifically validated preparations''.
