Homeopathy protest sees 'mass overdose' outside Boots in Leicester
Protesters downed entire bottles of homeopathic remedies in a "mass overdose" – and said they felt absolutely no effect.
In Saturday's demonstration, 25 people gathered outside Boots' Gallowtree Gate store in Leicester and took 42 times the recommended doses.
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Alistair Grant downs a homeopathic remedy.
The campaigners have called on the high street chain to withdraw all homeopathic treatments, which they claim are "scientifically absurd".
Homeopathy claims to use highly-diluted substances to trigger the body to heal itself.
The demonstrators had each bought a bottle of homeopathic tablets from Boots mixed to a 30c dilution.
The tablets – costing £4.99 a bottle – are said to contain small traces of compounds such as arsenic, argentum nitricum and belladonna.
Critics said that, at such a dilution, the chances of finding a single molecule of the active ingredient were incredibly small.
The protest was organised by the Leicester branch of Skeptics in the Pub.
Others demonstrated – all at 10.23am – outside Boots branches in Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Birmingham.
Blake Hutchings, 28, who downed a bottle of pills said to contain argentum nitricum, said: "It works out at being nothing more than a lot of money for not a lot of sugar."
Alistair Grant, 48, from Whitwick took 84 tablets said to contain arsenic.
He said: "There's nothing in it. If people believe a homeopathic remedy will cure a headache, they may start using it for more serious conditions which require proper medication."
A 70-year-old protester from Enderby, who did not wish to be named, said: "I took medical advice as I have a number of conditions but I was never remotely concerned it would have any effect. If people want to spend their money on these remedies that's fine but I am appalled the NHS does."
The Society of Homeopaths said treatments were "person-specific'' and based on taking a series of doses, so it did not expect any reaction in the protesters, unless someone already had symptoms matched to their remedy.
On its website, Boots advises customers: "30c pillules are a homeopathic medicinal product without approved therapeutic indications".
Paul Bennett, professional standards director from Boots, said the company followed advice from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on the selling of complementary medicines.
He said: "Homeopathy is recognised by the NHS and many health professionals.
"Many people believe in the benefits of complementary medicines and we aim to offer the products our customers want."
"We would," he added, "support the call for scientific research and evidence-gathering on the efficacy of homeopathic medicines."
Read Simon Perry's Skeptic column in tomorrow's Mercury.
20 Comments
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by Ra, Germany
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 2:48PM
“Shame on Boots or any other pharmacy for selling quack medicines. Whether you "believe" it works has nothing to do with that the fact that it cannot work - any person with reasonable intelligence can work out the maths and science behind it for themselves and see that it is nothing more than fraud.
To Patrick: Germany has one of the most embarrassingly large markets for mass placebo-effect homeopathy. Not something to shout about.”
by Steve B, Countesthorpe
Monday, February 01 2010, 3:54PM
“Sorry to open my big mouth again, but this is a topic I feel strongly about.
If (God forbid) I had an agressive form of cancer and a choice between conventional treatment (however unpleasant that might be) or relying on my body to heal itself with a product that was virtually nothing but water I know which I'd go for.
As anyone reading might have guessed, I've suffered from a life-threatening disease in the past and frankly if it wasn't for modern medical science (surgery and medicines) I wouldn't be here writing this posting now.
In my opinion (note: my opinion, which I'm entitled to and which may differ from yours), alternative medicine is for people who either only think that they are ill, or for people who are genuinely ill and so desperate that they think anything is worth a try.
So there :-)”
by K, Leicester
Monday, February 01 2010, 3:53PM
“Just what do these idiots hope to acheive?”
by Steve B, Countesthorpe
Monday, February 01 2010, 3:41PM
“Unless (continuing with my last posting) he is talking about in his analogy. That's not anti-religious - he was simply saying that his own negative view of alternative medicine would be akin to the Pope's strength of feeling on the topic suggested.
John Diamonds book "C" was both brilliant and humbling by the way.”
by Steve B, Countesthorpe
Monday, February 01 2010, 3:36PM
“Could Patrick of Germany (or indeed anyone else) explain why my views were "anti-religious"? Who mentioned religion, and what has religion got to do with it anyway?”
by Richard, Winchester
Monday, February 01 2010, 3:06PM
“Read Ben Goldacre's "Bad Science" and you will see there are no properly conducted tests (i.e. double blind, random) that have ever showed Homepathic stuff to work any better than a placebo. James Randi has $1m available to anyone who can do that, so why does he still have the money...?”
by Daniel, Reading
Monday, February 01 2010, 2:52PM
“Patrick, Germany:
So you're seriously claiming that homeopathic treatments can cure cancer? You're probably right: much better for cancer sufferers to glug down quack remedies, rather than undergo any of the treatments that have actually been proven to work. (rolls eyes)”
by JB, Leicester
Monday, February 01 2010, 2:49PM
“@ Patrick, Germany
"Cancer treatment has, in some cases, been shown to stop and reduce tumour sizes "
That's quite a claim (and one that's probably subject in the UK to The Cancer Act 1939). Care to link to any evidence?”
by JB, Leicester
Monday, February 01 2010, 2:37PM
“@ Sam Hahnemann
"Low-potency over-the-counter homeopathic remedies are not meant as a cure for serious illnesses"
"...you¿d want a qualified practitioner to give you a proper diagnosis."
Are you suggesting that, rather than buying over the counter homeopathic tablets, someone with a serious illness should consult a homeopath?”
by Patrick, Germany
Monday, February 01 2010, 2:31PM
“Steve of Countesthorpe,
a rather stupid anti-religious comment. Mr Diamond was entitled to his view but I notice it is The late Mr Diamond. Should make you think.”