European Coalition on
Homeopathic & Anthroposophic
Medicinal Products
Cost-effectiveness
Homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines can contribute to sustainable health systems by reducing treatment costs
A number of scientific research studies evaluate the cost-effectiveness of homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines. It is plausible to state that both homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines can contribute to sustainable health systems by significantly reducing treatment costs.
The following are examples of specific health care situations with clear data on cost-effectiveness:
In Germany,
493 patients treated by GPs for chronic conditions with homeopathy
had better clinical outcomes than those treated with conventional medicine, for similar costs
A
study comparing the costs generated by conventional, homeopathic and mixed medical practice
in French general medicine found homeopathic GPs to be up to
20% less expensive
than conventional medicine GPs; homeopathic GPs prescribed noticeably fewer psychotropic drugs, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
An Italian study
shows savings of more than 40%for patients with respiratory diseases under homeopathic treatment versus conventional therapy. After the first year, the spending decreased by 42% with a further reduction of 13% in the second year, representing a cost saving of 50% in total over the two years.
Another study on recurrent upper respiratory tract infection showed homeopathic treatment to have superior medical effectiveness, fewer complications, fewer consultations, better quality of life, and less parental time off work – for equivalent direct medical costs
Swiss insurance company data show that homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products offer potential savings of 45% and 12% respectively compared to conventional medicines.