Society of Homeopaths breach own Code of Ethics on website *updated*

When those naughty people at the Society of Homeopaths (SoH) are not bullying bloggers through dubious legal tactics, falling victim to the ‘Streisand effect‘ or misrepresenting House of Lords reports they like to maintain a veneer of respectability. The SoH claims to turn ordinary homeopaths into Professional Homeopaths through a modest annual fee and a formal contract binding them to the Code of Ethics. You would expect adherence to this Code of Ethics to be the cornerstone of professional self-regulation but not for the mischievous SoH. A cursory examination of one small section of their Code of Ethics reveals that their website is in numerous breaches of this section. Oh those cheeky little scamps, they nearly had us all fooled into thinking that they took ethics seriously.

The section in question comes from their 2004 Code of Ethics (page 7):

Publicity and advertising
48 Advertisements, stationery and name plates maintain a high standard of propriety and
integrity to enhance the reputation of homeopathy.
• Advertising shall not contain claims of superiority.
• No advertising may be used which expressly or implicitly claims to cure named diseases.
• Advertising shall not be false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, extravagant or
sensational.

Strangely such admirable statements of integrity are absent in execution from several sections of their website. Oh and it is worth noting that the Oxford English Dictionaries definition of implicit is “Implied though not plainly expressed; naturally or necessarily involved in, or capable of being inferred from, something else.” just in case they try to pretend otherwise.

From their section on “What is Homeopathy?“

What can homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy has a wide application, from acute fevers, sore throats and toothache, to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Now surely arthritis, eczema and asthma are ‘named diseases’? Arguably this isn’t advertising but it does suggest that the SoH are happy to make grand unproven claims for homeopathy which is certainly against the spirit, if not the letter, of their Code of Ethics.

But if one wanders to their on-line shop, one finds definite breaches of their Code of Ethics. From their For Your Patients section:

Homeopathy and the Menopause - Offers reassurance and general guidance to patients explaining how homeopathy can assist with the menopause as a natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy [(HRT)]. Includes research references.

Now without getting bogged down in the gender politics of whether the menopause is a disease, it can certainly be considered one from a wholly medical perspective. Those naughty homeopaths are implying that homeopathy is a superior alternative to HRT because it is natural despite their Code of Ethics explicitly stating that this is not acceptable.

Homeopathy for Men – Many men lead stressful lives but can be less careful about looking after their health than women. The leaflet offers general advice about how homeopathy can help men and aims to get more male patients through the door of your homeopathic clinic!

‘Homeopathic medicine has so much to offer when it comes to the treatment of individual men’s health. The Society of Homeopaths is to
be commended for making these aspects of health a priority. It goes a necessary part of the way to begin to address the health of those men
who wrestle with depression, low self esteem, anger issues, erectile dysfunction, anxiety or any of the myriad symptoms they experience.’
Alastair Gray - Homeopath and international teacher

Oh dear you sly dogs, erectile dysfunction is a named disease and this is clearly advertising.

Homeopathy for Babies & Children – A useful guide to how homeopathy can help babies and children. Includes a basic guide to safely treating children and babies at home for minor complaints from earache and coughs to bumps and bruises. Includes how homeopathy can help more serious complaints from asthma and acne, to behavioural problems including shyness, anxiety and attention deficit disorder. Incorporates references to research sources.

“Homeopathy is brilliant for babies and children: carefully selected remedies heal without side effects. There’s simply nothing better. Accessible and succinct, this leaflet answers frequently asked questions
of those considering homeopathy for their family’s health care needs.”
Miranda Castro, FSHom - Homeopath & author of Homeopathy for
Mother & Baby (pub. Homeopathic Publishing Company)

Ahh those too-crafty-by-half homeopaths don’t care that asthma, acne, and attention deficit disorder are named diseases. The supplementary advertising blurb (in italics) also states that nothing is better than homeopathy. Now if that’s not a claim for superiority I don’t know what is.

They even encourage children to think that homeopathy is superior through attractive, colourful badges.

Poor little homeopaths don’t realise that stating that homeopathy tastes nicer is a claim of superiority .

Update:

After further perusal of the Society of Homeopaths website I have found many further claims in breach of the Code of Ethics.

From the Pregnancy and Childbirth leaflet:

Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy may cause minor health problems such as nausea, mild urinary problems, diarrhoea, heartburn, anaemia, varicose veins, backache, cramps, thrush or emotional distress. All these problems and more potentially complicated symptoms such as raised blood pressure, can also be helped by professional homeopathic treatment

Yet more named diseases and rather extravagant claims for homeopathy. In fact this whole leaflet is full of named diseases extravagant claims and implications of superiority. If I didn’t think the SoH were just a bunch of cute little chancers I might start getting annoyed.

From the Homeopathy and the Menopause leaflet:

What’s the problem with HRT?

If we were to view the menopause as a ‘deficiency disease’, a logical solution would be to replace the missing hormones with artificial ones by giving HR, but we now know this is not a risk-free option. Artificially replacing oestrogen and progesterone in a constant dose is like driving a car in one gear; you may have more energy but there are serious long-term implications for our health.

Now is is just me or are those naughty little people suggesting that HRT is not safe? What could be a safe, superior alternative?

Homeopathy is an alternative to HRT

Homeopathy is safe and effective, especially when used in conjunction with lifestyle and dietary changes, in the treatment of hot flushes, mood-swings, menopausal headaches and a host of other troublesome symptoms.

Oh my my, if that is not a implication of superiority then I might just have to take my homeopathic remedy for my rising crankiness.

The Homeopathy for Men leaflet:

Homeopathy and mental health

Hundreds of thousands of people with moderate depression or anxiety have been unnecessarily prescribed powerful anti-depressants. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE), say GPs are prescribing too many pills for those who do not have a serious medical condition and they advise people to seek other treatment such as therapy or more daily exercise.

Now I’m not sure why depression is in the Homeopathy for Men leaflet but there is a clear implication that anti-depressants are bad and other therapies are preferable, superior even. So what do the SoH think is a superior therapy? One guess boys and girls, yes thats right……..

When combined with the benefits of good nutrition, exercise and relaxation, homeopathy can provide optimum support for such patients.

Homeopathy provides optimum support. Definition of ‘optimum’ from the good old Oxford English Dictionary - Best, most favourable, esp. under a particular set of circumstances. Oh dear you silly little homeopaths, you are not allowed to say that, a clear claim of superiority.
I wonder what egregious claims they can come up with next.
From the Homeopathy for Babies leaflet:

What complaints can you safely treat at home?
Homeopathy works fast with children because they are usually full of vitality. Acute conditions such as ear infections, tonsillitis and flu, can be resolved rapidly using the right remedies, often avoiding the need for conventional medicines.

Oh dear, that is clear claim for superiority over conventional medicines. You really don’t take this ethics lark seriously do you? Let’s see what you say about vaccinations shall we.

Childhood vaccination
Healthy children bounce back from acute illnesses and may even experience a growth spurt or developmental leap immediately after an illness. Homeopathy can help boost your child’s natural immunity. Homeopaths work with a different health model from the bio-medical one, which aims to increase “herd immunity”. Every child is special and has their own physical and emotional way of dealing with disease. This knowledge requires individual treatment tailored to your child’s needs, which homeopathy provides.

The Society acknowledges that there is much anecdotal and scientific evidence to support the arguments presented for and against vaccination. Our members aim to support parents in making rational, informed decisions on the short and long-term implications of vaccination. Whether you decide to opt for the jabs or not, homeopathic treatment can improve natural immunity or lessen the chance of side effects from vaccination.

Ah, I’m getting a teensy bit riled now, I mean there are extravagant claims over homeopathy’s effect on immunity, flat our rejection of bio-medical science which is false advertising and dangerous advice suggesting that vaccination is not as safe as homeopathy. Bad, bad homeopaths.

Oh and the final quote from the Soh comes from their advice leaflet on how to find a homeopath:

How do I find a good Homeopath

To find a good homeopath consult the Register of the Society of Homeopaths. All homeopaths registered with the Society practise in accordance with a Code of Ethics and Practice, hold professional insurance, and have passed stringent academic and clinical assessments before being admitted to the Register.

Oh you silly boys and girls at the SoH, don’t you realise that if you keep banging on about your Code of Ethics and how that provides a reason to take homeopathy seriously then you should make sure that your website, your interface with the public, is absolutely rigorous in its adherence to your Code of Ethics. If you didn’t do that then people might begin to think that you don’t actually care about enforcing your Code of Ethics and your attempts to silence criticism through legal bullying wasn’t just a mistake but an active attempt to avoid responsibility.