Homeopathy: The safe, effective and cost-effective medicine according to a comprehensive new Swiss study.

In 1998 the government in Switzerland began including selected “alternative” or natural medicines, including homeopathy, in their national healthcare insurance reimbursement program for a period of time to study the treatment effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of them. Late in 2011, the Swiss government published a comprehensive review of homeopathy concluding with a strong recommendation that homeopathy be included in Switzerland’s national health insurance program. I will summarize the main points below as identified by homeopathic advocate and teacher, Dana Ullman, MPH, in two articles written for the Huffington Post (2/15/12, 3/23/12).

• 85% of the Swiss population is in favor of including Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the national health system.
• There was strong evidence for benefit in treating upper respiratory infections and allergies with homeopathy. Six of the seven studies showed homeopathy to be more effective than conventional medicine.
• Homeopathic treatment costs 15.4% less than either conventional or other alternative medicine practices. (This could result in savings of hundreds of millions of dollars in many countries.)
• A Dutch study indicated that those receiving CAM treatments in general, including homeopathy, had lower costs, fewer hospitalizations and live longer.
• The Swiss study showed greater cost-effectiveness for those with female fertility problems, rheumatoid arthritis, otitis media, respiratory allergies and dyspepsia.
• Those receiving homeopathic care had fewer sick days from work.
• In satisfaction surveys, 53% of those receiving homeopathic care were “completely satisfied” vs. 43% for those seeking conventional medical care. In addition, serious side effects were greatly reduced for those seeking homeopathic care.
• Homeopathy has also been shown to be cost-effective in studies conducted in Switzerland and North America at research universities, by corporations developing wellness programs and in pilot studies run by insurance companies.

To summarize, the Swiss government report showed significant benefit by including homeopathy in the national health care system as it reduces cost, is effective, has a high consumer satisfaction rating and is safe. It should also be noted, that health outcome studies for the 16 wealthiest nations place Switzerland in second, just behind Japan, for having the best health outcomes while the US is last. Perhaps it is time for the US and other countries to seriously consider a more integrative approach that included homeopathy in healthcare delivery. Not only would health outcomes improve but there could be a reduction in healthcare costs, fewer missed days of work and improved worker productivity.

To read the full report see, Homeopathy in Healthcare: Effectiveness, Appropriateness, Safety, Costs.  Gudrun Bornhöft and Peter F. Matthiessen (Editors)