Lancet editor: Debate needed
Friday, 16 Nov 2007 13:11
The editor of medical journal the Lancet has defended his publication's decision to conduct a campaign against homeopathy.
But Richard Horton, speaking on the Today programme, rejected claims that he was stifling debate on the subject and insisted the opposite was the case.
A critical editorial attacking the Society for Homeopaths' forthcoming symposium on HIV/Aids and has been met with dismay by backers of homeopathy.
Dr Horton said he was justified in taking his editorial stance because of the weight of evidence against homeopathy, which he said was "wasting" NHS resources.
"There are five homeopathic hospitals in the National Health Service, 40 per cent of GPs refer patients for homeopathic treatments, there's not one shred of evidence to support homeopathic efficacy for any disease out there," he said.
"We're closing hospitals at the moment more than we are building hospitals and yet we are supporting a system of medicine that has not one shred of evidence behind it. That's crazy as a way(poor syntax: that's a crazy way…) to run the NHS."
