The BHA has today commented on a report by the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee which has called on the government to stop funding homeopathic services on the NHS. The report, which summarised the findings of the committee’s inquiry into government policy on homeopathy, states that there is no evidence that homeopathy is effective. It also recommends that no further public funding be used to test the efficacy of homeopathic treatment, as it has been clearly established that it does not work.
BHA Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips commented, ‘It is clear from this report that NHS funding is being spent on treatments that have no evidential basis in their claims of effectiveness. There has been enough testing of homeopathy to provide plenty of evidence showing that it is not efficacious. Public policy should be rational and evidence-based and the government should be ensuring that public funds are spent on treatments that have been proven to work, and on research that is backed up by scientific evidence. To do otherwise is irrational, unethical and a waste of public money.’
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For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips, 07540 257101, 020 7079 3585.
The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee report is available here.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief.