Volume 108 Number 2
56 AJHM Summer 2015
Homeopathic Product Regulation
My conventional colleagues show genuine interest and
curiosity about homeopathic medicine, despite being chal-
lenged by fundamental differences in these medical mod-
els. I believe that the true scientist does not discard avail-
able data just because the theory doesn’t fit their prevailing
world view; such an attitude has historically hindered in-
novation and scientific development.
It is unfortunate that some sites, such as the National
Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH
of NIH), do not provide more detailed information about
homeopathy. Certainly, the FDA is one of those federal
agencies which might help lead the effort to disseminate
unbiased and factual information about homeopathic
medicines. Guidance from the agency will generally be
perceived as highly reliable and less subject to industry or
other third party agendas.
Despite the efforts of organizations, healthcare practitio-
ners, and the consumers themselves, as mentioned above,
there are some significant possibilities for improvement.
1. More effort could be made by national health related
government agencies, like the FDA and the NIH, to
educate the public and providers about homeopathic
medicines. Specific attention should be paid to dis-
tinguishing homeopathic drugs from dietary supple-
ments, herbal and nutritional products.
2. The FDA could encourage research funding, e.g. by
the NIH, which could help better clarify the safety
and role of homeopathic medicines in the consumer
marketplace. Such research could be publicized to
raise consumer awareness.
3. Non-Governmental Organizations affiliated with ho-
meopathy, like the AAHP, NCH and AIH will con-
tinue to play an important role in the dissemination
of accurate information about homeopathy.
4. Medical schools could make a greater effort to edu-
cate future doctors about the different types of OTC
drugs, including homeopathic, their future patients
will be using.
Conclusions
1. Patients are finding out about homeopathic medicines
and using them in greater numbers as reflected by
higher sales of these products. However, these sales
are often overestimated. Patients tend to get edu-
cated to make informed decisions just as they do with
other OTC products.
2. Patients want the option and the freedom to use ho-
meopathic medicines as a viable resource in their
healthcare—to be used not instead of, but in conjunc-
tion with standard medical diagnosis and treatment,
when necessary.
3. Conventional healthcare providers want scientific,
unbiased information on homeopathic drugs. Pro-
viders are typically willing to examine other medical
models, including homeopathic medicine, despite the
fundamental differences in the paradigms.
4. Non-Governmental and Governmental Organiza-
tions provide basic information about homeopathic
medicine. This information is often incomplete and
at times inaccurate. This is easily remedied by col-
laboration between the various agencies and using
available expertise to provide the most complete and
accurate information about homeopathic medicines.
The licensed healthcare provider members of the
AIH represent a potential asset to the FDA because
they are uniquely qualified and experienced in both
conventional and homeopathic medicine. Collabora-
tion with our members could enhance agency under-
standing of the current use of these medicines in the
US.
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Bernardo Merizalde, MD
Testimony of David Riley, MD
American Institute of Homeopathy
My name is David Riley. I am a conventionally-trained
physician and board-certified in internal medicine. I am a
member of the American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH)
and presently a trustee for the Homeopathic Pharmaco-
peia of the United States (HPUS), presenting information
on the adequacy of the current regulatory framework for
consumers and licensed practitioners of homeopathy. I
graduated from the University of Utah medical school in
1983, completed my internal medicine residency in 1986
and practiced conventional medicine as a physician for the
US public health service in Santa Fe, NM. I trained in
homeopathy at the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy in
Albany, California. I completed my training in 1993. My
interests in medicine are focused on increasing the scientif-
