UK: Homeopath to the Queen 'risking patient health' by selling swine flu remedy

[Guest guest]

http://www.telegraph.co

uk/health/swine-flu/5956106/Homeopath-to-the-Queen-risking-patient-health-by-

elling-swine-flu-remedy.html

Homeopath to the Queen 'risking patient health' by selling swine flu remedy

A pharmacy supplying homeopathic remedies to the Royal Family is being

investigated for selling a swine flu treatment doctors say could endanger

the health of sufferers.

By Ben Leach and Donnelly

Published: 10:00PM BST 01 Aug 2009

The BMA says homeopathic remedies should not be used in place of licensed

drugs such as Tamiflu Photo: REUTERS

The company, Ainsworths, has been accused of " quackery " for supplying

bottles of pills labelled as " Swine Flu Formula " for people suffering from

the disease.

The British Medical Association (BMA) warned it would be dangerous if the

treatment caused people to delay seeking medical help and said the pills

should not be used as an alternative to conventional treatment.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has

announced that one of its enforcement teams will examine the company's

claims over the effects the pills can have.

Ainsworths has been granted a Royal Warrant by the Queen and Prince ,

who are both said to be supporters of homeopathy. Warrants are issued to

individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services to the Royal

Family for at least five years.

Its treatment is in the form of small " sugar pills " , which dissolve under

the tongue. It is sold in £7 bottles, containing 50 pills, which can be

bought on the company's website or over the counter of its central London

store.

The label on the bottles reads: " SFF (Swine Flu Formula). Treatment: One to

be dissolved in the mouth three times a day until improved. "

A reporter for The Sunday Telegraph was able to buy a bottle of the pills

after telling staff that his partner thinks she is suffering from swine flu.

The pharmacist declined to reveal the ingredients although she said it was

made from a " combination " of Ainsworths' own medicines that are normally

used to treat symptoms such as fever, muscle and bone ache, weakness or

headaches.

The reporter was then told that the sufferer should take the pills three

times a day until they see an improvement in their condition.

She added that the pills would help the body " overcome the symptoms " of the

virus.

The pharmacist then filled a small glass bottle with the pills from a

container that was kept behind the counter before attaching a label and

handing them over. The whole process took just a few minutes.

The MHRA is now investigating after being handed a transcript of the

conversation. A spokesman said it would be referred to the enforcement team

and to a case officer.

The agency could enforce a fine or launch a prosecution if it believes the

company has breached strict rules governing the claims that homeopathic

providers can make for their products.

The spokesman added: " Tamiflu and Relenza are licensed medicines authorised

for the treatment of swine flu. The government has already stockpiled

antiviral medicines to treat cases and we would advise the public who are

concerned that they may have swine flu, to contact the National Pandemic Flu

Service or speak to their GP to get access to these treatments. "

Professor Colquhoun, research fellow in pharmacology at University

College London, and a leading opponent of the alternative medicine industry,

said: " To sell a pill that claims to help treat the symptoms of such a virus

is quackery. It is worrying that this remedy could be sold to people who

will be, in some cases, seriously ill. Should someone who has the virus

decide to delay treatment in order to try the homeopathic pills instead then

they are risking their health. "

Dr Vivienne son, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: " If

someone thinks they have flu they should contact the appropriate advisory

service and get advice.

" While most people with flu will have a mild illness, if this causes a delay

in getting help for the tiny number with more serious symptoms then it could

be very dangerous. "

Dr Hamish Meldrum, the BMA chairman, added: " Homeopathic medicine has not

been shown to have any benefits at all and should not be used as an

alternative to conventional treatment. "

Tony Pinkus, the director of Ainsworths, said: " At Ainsworths we cater for

our many homeopathic customers who have requested a remedy to alleviate the

symptoms of swine flu.

" Most of our customers are people who routinely use homeopathy and find it a

satisfactory alternative to allopathic or conventional medicine and are

exercising their freedom of choice.

" The remedy is available on request and we do not advertise or encourage

people to buy it. We also make it clear that homeopathy can be used in

conjunction with conventional medicines and do not feel we are ignoring or

going against any governmental guidelines. "

Dr Zollman, a Fellow of the Prince's Foundation for Integrated

Health and a GP in Bristol, said she uses homeopathy in her every day care

of patients.

" Homeopathic treatment can be helpful where conventional medicine doesn't

have much to offer and there are ongoing symptoms in the patient which are

causing distress.

" But it does have to be used with care and good assessment where serious

progressive illness or disease has been ruled out.

" The fact that Ainsworths are selling this without stating what is in it

does give me quite a degree of cause for concern. If a patient asked me

whether they should take a medicine without knowing what's in it I would

tell them no.

" Most homeopathic remedies are very clearly labelled so I am surprised that

this one isn't. "

A spokesman for Clarence House said: " The Royal Warrant is a mark of

recognition that a trade organisation has supplied the Royal household to

its satisfaction.

" It doesn't necessarily mean that a particular product has been used by any

member of the Royal Family. We never comment on individual products that are

manufactured by holders of the Royal Warrant. "