§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to encourage the use of homoeopathic treatments, where their effectiveness has been proven; [99920]
(2) what studies he has considered that evaluate the worth of homoeopathic treatments for GP practices. [99922]
§ Ms Blears[Holding answer 3 March 2003]: Our June 2000 complementary medicine information pack for primary care groups commented that there was some evidence to suggest that homeopathy might help certain patients. It suggested in particular that the best evidence of its effectiveness was in relation to conditions with an allergic element, for example asthma, rhinitis and hay fever.
However, the centre for reviews and dissemination at the University of York has concluded in its more recent Effective Healthcare bulletin on homeopathy (2002, volume 7, number 3) that current evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy is not conclusive enough to warrant a significant change in National Health Service provision of homeopathy.