A survey of the use of over-the-counter homeopathic medicines purchased in health stores in central Manchester

Abstract

Background: There is little research on the use of over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic medicines.

Objectives: To obtain data on conditions treated by OTC homeopathy; perceived effectiveness; how long respondents had used OTC homeopathy; if respondents combined them with prescription drugs; reasons for using OTC homeopathy.

Methods: 75 users of OTC homeopathy completed questionnaires while purchasing OTC homeopathic remedies in three health food shops in central Manchester.

Results: The most frequently treated conditions were respiratory, mental/psychological and bruises/injuries. Respondents perceived OTC homeopathy to be effective for relieving these conditions. There was a trend for respondent's first using OTC homeopathy 4 or more years previously. Thirteen per cent combined it prescription drugs. The most strongly endorsed reasons for using OTC homeopathy were that was a natural treatment and was perceived as harmless.

Conclusions: This study and possible future larger scale studies may show which conditions/ailments are being treated by OTC homeopathy and the reasons why people choose to use it. Such information may lead to further integration within the NHS.

Keywords

OTC - health food shops - questionnaire - GPs

• References

• 1 Thomas K, Nicholl J, Coleman P. Use and expenditure on complementary medicine in England—a population based survey. Comp Ther Med 2001; 1: 2-11.
• 2 Maclennan A, Wilson DH, Taylor AW. Prevalence and cost of alternative medicine in Australia. Lancet 1996; 347: 569-573.
• 3 Kayne S. Survey of buyers of homeopathic medicines. Pharm J 1999; 263: 210-212.
• 4 Eisenberg DM, Davis RR. Trends in Alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997. JAMA 1998; 280: 1569-1575.
• 5 Swayne J. Survey of the use of homeopathic medicine in the UK health system. J Roy College General Practitioners 1989; 39: 503-506.
• 6 Vickers AJ, Smith C. Homeopathic Oscillococcinum for preventing and treating influenza and influenza type syndromes. (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library. Oxford: Update Software; 2001.
• 7 Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homcopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Hom J 2000; 89 (Suppl. 01) 35-38.
• 8 Kent JT. Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 1988.
• 9 Vithoulkas G. The Science of Homeopathy. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 1997.