Homeopathy doesn't work

As if it needs restating, there is no evidence that homeopathy works.

This fact has been reconfirmed by a recent report by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Having reviewed the scientific evidence they found that:

• There was no reliable evidence from human research that homeopathy was effective for treating a range of health conditions.

• For some conditions, the placebo was more effective than homeopathy.

• People who choose homeopathy may put their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments for which there is good evidence for safety and effectiveness.

You can read the full report here.

$1 million challenge for homeopathy

American magician and sceptic James Randi has challenged homeopathic practitioners to prove, under controlled, scientific conditions that homeopathy works. If they do, he'll give them $1 million.

See his video statement here:

Number of the Week: £20 million

The amount spent by the British NHS on refurbishing the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital despite the complete lack of scientific evidence to suggest that it works any better than a placebo. A commitee of British MPs have urged that homeopathic medicine no longer be funded by the taxpayer. In a dig at the Prince of Wales (whos Foundation for Integrated Health funds homeopathy) Edzard Ernst, a long standing critic of homeopathic medicicine told New Scientist this week: "Either we are governed by evidence and science, or by Prince Charles."