ECHAMP Comment: Prejudice against Homeopathy Research

ECHAMP believes that this prevailing bias on homeopathy by some press and research institutions is having a damaging effect on patients and society, by denying them objective facts and reporting on homeopathy.

A number of media reports this week condemn homeopathy, with titles such as ‘Benefits of homeopathy have been 'substantially over-estimated' by weak scientific trials’.

A new study published in the journal ‘BMJ Evidence Based Medicine’ highlighted reporting bias in homeopathy research. The BMJ profiled the research in a news item, ‘Poor research practice suggests true impact of homeopathy may be “substantially” overestimated’. Across Europe, the media picked up this news to pour criticism on homeopathy. But they failed to report that levels of reporting bias are lower in homeopathy research than in conventional medical research.

As the Homeopathy Research Institute underlined, “Reporting bias is a well-recognised issue in all areas of medical research, so it is unsurprising that it occurs in homeopathy research. The most interesting finding from this new study is that we now know homeopathy is out-performing conventional medicine in this respect, with lower levels of reporting bias.” (Translation of their Comment also available in French and German)

It seems the media has an anti-homeopathy bias and is on the lookout to find an angle to illustrate its prejudice. An objective press would have used titles such as ‘Homeopathy research – best in class’.

ECHAMP believes that this prevailing bias against homeopathy by some press and research institutions is having a damaging effect on patients and society, by denying them objective facts and reporting on homeopathy.

The research ethics and procedures of studies on homeopathy follow the most stringent guidelines and the results are there for all to analyse. Many of ECHAMP's members have research departments performing in-vitro, in-vivo and clinical studies. Their studies are as rigorous as possible to avoid criticism.

ECHAMP is nevertheless pleased to see a growing trend of independent media reporting more objectively on the use and effectiveness of homeopathy and other integrative medicine approaches.

For further information

• Gartlehner G et al. Assessing the magnitude of reporting bias in trials of homeopathy: a cross-sectional study and meta-analysis. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 2022; eFirst
• BMJ Newsroom, ‘Poor research practice suggests true impact of homeopathy may be “substantially” overestimated’
• HRI comment on BMJ article assessing reporting bias in trials of homeopathy
• French translation: Commentaire du HRI sur l’article du BMJ évaluant le biais de notification dans les essais cliniques de l’homéopathie
• German translation: HRI-Kommentar zum BMJ*-Artikel über Berichtsverzerrung („reporting bias“) von Homöopathie-Studien