Abstract
Background Homeopathy has survived the test of time over more than 200 years and has been accepted
by many consumers and practitioners across the world as being an important constituent
of health care. It continues to provide successful outcomes in a wide range of conditions
using traditional and newer approaches to practice and is expanding into integrated
health care. This article discusses modern developments in homeopathic theory, homeopharmaceutics,
homeotherapeutics, and patient access. It also considers how Hahnemann might have
responded to these changes.
Commentary Theoretical explanations for homeopathic mechanisms of action are complex and can
involve ideas that conflict with established thinking amongst non-homeopaths. The
use of different pharmacopoeial standards in the manufacture of remedies and variations
in nomenclature continues to cause confusion for practitioners and patients. It also
causes problems for manufacturers in providing the documentation required by national
regulatory authorities to support licensing applications. Interaction with these bodies
and other stakeholders is vital, to ensure the continued availability of a full range
of homeopathic medicines. The incorporation of a homeopathic section within the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), which is used by many countries globally, is a positive development in
promoting the standardisation of remedies. With increasing reliance now on evidence-based
medicine, scientifically trained colleagues and sceptics have cast doubt on the validity
of the observational studies that form much of the homeopathic evidence base.
Recommendations The homeopathy community should engage as fully as possible in robust research to
validate homeopathic practices, thus ensuring the viability of homeopathy in the future.
There is an ongoing need for homeopathic practitioners to review their procedures
regularly and take account of changes in patient demographics and lifestyle, and in
modern methods of health care delivery. Colleagues should also be aware of patients'
emerging abilities to critically assess treatment options and to judge outcomes. Future
opportunities exist for homeopathy in new concepts of integrated health care that
includes a range of other therapies, as well as in veterinary and environmental health.
There is also the possibility of homeopathy joining social care services to improve
accessibility to health care by making it available in a range of different community
settings.
Conclusion Hahnemann would likely have been unimpressed by the less positive contemporary influences
on homeopathic practice.
Keywords
theory - homeopharmaceutics - homeotherapeutics - patient access - developments in
practice - future opportunities
