![Homeopathic Medicine [Image via of Eskimokettu/Pixabay]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/18/660x290/b_502x220x82/homeopathic-medicine-image-courtesy-of-eskimokettu-on-pixbay_1739947.jpg "Homeopathic Medicine [Image via of Eskimokettu/Pixabay]")
In a press release dated December 18, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new Enforcement for Homeopathic drug products. Aimed at protecting Homeopathic product users, the FDA’s existing policies will be updated.
Don't meet safety standards
It is shocking that it has taken this long for the FDA to finally crack down on products that are not up to code. The move is an update to current FDA policy and is meant to help protect users of homeopathic remedies This change will address those products that are labeled as homeopathic but still have dangerous ingredients in them.
It will also force companies to ensure good manufacturing practices and to back up claims made about their products.
Homeopathic drugs are marketed for many diseases & conditions, from the common cold to cancer. Some have active ingredients that can create health risks while delivering no proven medical benefit. New FDA risk-based enforcement priorities will address this https://t.co/hEhMZDMzK9 pic.twitter.com/7xX4ZLMO57
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) December 18, 2017
Homeopathic medicine has been in practice since the late 1700s. It is based on two principles, using a diluted form of the illness in order to create a resistance and the more diluted the substance the more potent it becomes.
Using these principles, the homeopathic market has grown to a nearly $3 billion industry.
Given the amount that people are paying for these treatments, one would think that standards would be higher.
Homeopathic products and manufacturing standards
Right now many people are being exposed to products which have not been tested nor have they been proven effective. Serious concerns have been raised about reactions to these homeopathic drugs.
Some of the standards are so low that there have been reports of dangerous amounts of some ingredients found. Without consistent manufacturing standards, you can never know how much of a dosage you’re actually getting.
Currently, homeopathic products are available for everything from the common cold to cancer treatments. Few if any of these treatments have any scientific proof of their effectiveness.
In many cases, they can actually do harm.
The FDA has actually received more than one complaint about teething tablets which contained toxic ingredients. One was found to contain belladonna, and because of the poor manufacturing standards, some of the dosages were much higher than expected. Another case involved teething tablets with Nux Vomica which is a rat poison. These ingredients are well known to cause seizures or death in children and infants, why are they even in a teething tablet?
The FDA will now be focusing on drugs which target vulnerable members of the community, and those drugs which can cause serious harm.
