[ad_1]
MONTREAL – A science communication group from McGill University is targeting a homeopathic flu remedy commonly available and wondering why pharmacies continue to sell what he calls "charlatan remedies".
A survey conducted last month by the McGill Office of Science and Society at 150 pharmacies in Montreal found that two-thirds of them stored Oscillococcinum, while the product "does not work (and) does not may not work according to our scientific knowledge, "reads publication on the website of the office.
The product, which claims to shorten the duration of flu symptoms, cost $ 37.99 for a 30-dose pack at a Jean Coutu pharmacy in Montreal on Wednesday.
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic pill that involves taking the heart and liver of a duck and diluting it until there is no trace of the organs, according to Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator who contributed to the realization of the study.
Mr. Jarry, with a master's degree in molecular biology, said he had decided to target Oscillococcinum, particularly because he considered it to be the most "huge" homeopathic product on the market. "Nothing in homeopathy really makes sense or is scientific, but this one because of its high dilution factor is particularly ridiculous," he said.
Homeopathy, which dates back to 1796, is based on the principle "like cures" or the idea that a disease can be cured by ingesting a low dose of something that produces similar symptoms in a person in good health.
Homeopathic advocates believe that the more powerful a product is, the more it is diluted – unlike other herbal medicines or alternative medications, a principle according to Jarry "violates the fundamental laws of the physics, biology and chemistry ".
Jarry cited studies from abroad, including a 2015 review of homeopathic science by the Australian Council for Health and Medical Research, which concluded that "there are no problems with for which there is reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective. "
But Boiron Canada, maker of Oscillococcinum, says doctors, pharmacists and patients have been recommending and using the product for decades because it works. The company provided links to two clinical trials conducted in 1989 and 1998, which showed that patients to whom the product had been administered had recovered more quickly than those who had ingested a placebo.
"We fully support the decision (of pharmacies) to respect the fundamental right of every Canadian to choose the products that best meet their health needs, and we will continue to offer reliable options to our homeopathic medicines," the company said. in a statement.
Jarry says that homeopathic products are expensive and could cause buyers to falsely delay the search for medical treatment. He wonders why they are sold by pharmacists in Quebec, whose code of ethics requires them to protect the public by directing them to effective treatment.
A spokesperson for the Quebec Order of Pharmacists acknowledged that homeopathic products have no "proven scientific value," but said it would be difficult to ban them because they are regulated by Health Canada as a type. of natural health product.
Julie Villeneuve said some pharmacists choose to store homeopathic products in order to interact with their clients, but that they could be subject to penalties for being promoted.
"Regardless of the school of thought to which he adheres, the code of ethics is clear: the pharmacist must practice pharmacy according to scientific data," writes Villeneuve in a statement.
"Thus, given the lack of scientific evidence on the effectiveness of homeopathy, a pharmacist who encourages a patient to use such products in anticipating benefits would be placed in a disciplinary offense."
Health Canada has approved approximately 8,500 homeopathic products, which review them to ensure they are safe and "supported by scientific evidence or other references," according to the ministry's website.
In 2015, Health Canada amended its labeling requirements for homeopathic cough, cold and flu products for children 12 years and under, stating that manufacturers could no longer make specific health claims. without scientific evidence.
Loblaws, the parent company of the Pharmaprix chain, said it preferred to allow patients to make their own choices, since the products are popular and approved for sale.
"Since these products are not prescribed and pose no health risk, pharmacists owning our network have no reason to ban them, especially since much of their clientele appreciates them and solicits them, "said Johanne Heroux, senior director of communications in a report.
Source link
