Originally published April 16 2015
FDA tries to destroy homeopathy - warns doctors, consumers to beware side effects of supposedly 'inert' products
by Jennifer Lilley
(NaturalNews) Despite the fact that people have turned to homeopathic remedies for hundreds of years and enjoy their health-boosting benefits to this day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is coming down hard on such products, issuing safety alerts and encouraging people to report any side effects.
Wait a minute.
If anything, many people use these products to avoid the side effects they've incurred while ingesting or applying some physician-prescribed pill or cream in the first place. Homeopathic remedies improve conditions, rather than make them worse, which is far more than what can be said of many conventional approaches.
Still, the FDA forges on, adamant that anything other than what Big Pharma and mainstream head-nodders espouse to be life-improving must be heavily scrutinized and done away with. They're planting the "homeopathic is bad" seed in the minds of consumers and doctors using fear-based tactics such as the one in their safety alert about homeopathic products designed to help provide asthma sufferers with some relief.(1)
What the FDA has to say in its alert about homeopathic remedies
"FDA is warning consumers not to rely on asthma products labeled as homeopathic that are sold over-the-counter (OTC)," the alert begins.(2)
What do they recommend? Surprise, surprise: prescriptions!
"Although there is no cure for asthma," the alert continues, "there are many prescription asthma
treatments approved by FDA as safe and effective, as well as some products that are marketed OTC in accordance with an FDA monograph."(2)
The alert uses the fact that the FDA has not evaluated homeopathic remedies for effectiveness and safety as reasoning behind why people should turn to what they have approved, which are, of course, costly and often ineffective pharmaceuticals.
They clearly outline an us-versus-them mentality in their explanation and subsequent recommendation.
OTC asthma products labeled as homeopathic are widely distributed through retail stores and via the internet. Many of these products are promoted as "natural," "safe and effective," and include indications that range from treatment for acute asthma symptoms, to temporary relief of minor asthma symptoms.(2)
The predictable, money-making FDA recommendation
Following is their suggestion:
RECOMMENDATION: Speak to your health care provider if you think you or your child may have asthma. Consumers with asthma can take an active role in managing their condition by making certain they have appropriate treatments on hand in the event they experience an asthma attack or a worsening of asthma symptoms, and by consulting with a health care provider when needed.(2)
From there, the FDA urges people to report any adverse reactions from homeopathic products, despite the mainstream media and medical establishment routinely claiming such products are "inert" due to dilution:
The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report any adverse reactions related to OTC asthma care products labeled as homeopathic to the agency's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program....(3)
Downloadable forms and phone numbers follow in their alert.
What the FDA is leaving out
What the FDA doesn't mention is that homeopathic remedies have been in place for hundreds of years and that, today, people the world over turn to them to help manage -- successfully -- everything from anxiety and depression to headaches and, yes, asthma. In fact, homeopathic remedies were first introduced to the United States in 1925 and have been in use ever since.(1)
They also don't mention that researchers from Stanford and Cornell discovered a few years back that people using Serevent, Advair and Foradil for their asthma were "3.5 times more likely to die from asthma and 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized (whether or not death resulted), compared with those taking a placebo."(4)
But homeopathic remedies, whether OTC or suggested by a homeopathic professional? Run like the wind, the FDA suggests.
How to help ensure homeopathic remedies don't fall victim to FDA naysayers
In fact, keep an eye on April 20 and 21, 2015, as those are the dates on which the FDA is expected to hold a hearing in which they will re-evaluate homeopathic remedies. They're poised to review regulations pertaining to the matter and, if their aforementioned alert is any indication, it's safe to assume that they'll tout the benefits of pharmaceuticals over natural solutions.(5)
The hearing will be broadcast live during these dates at Collaboration.FDA.gov for those interested in staying updated on this matter.(5)
We also encourage people to voice their opinions on this issue at Regulations.gov or by writing: Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
Correspondence must be received by June 22, 2015.(5)
Sources:
(1) http://www.greenmedinfo.com
(2) http://www.fda.gov
(3) http://www.fda.gov
(4) http://news.cornell.edu
(5) http://www.naturalnews.com
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml