Zicam and the abuse of public health by homeopaths

Spare a thought for the 130+ individuals who lost their sense of smell after taking various zinc-containing Zicam intranasal products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned users to stop using said cold remedies, and advised its manufacturer – Matrixx Initiatives – that these …

Healthcare products Regulatory Agency falling foul of the law?

According to Professor David Colquhoun, yes, it is. You must read his letter to the British Medical Journal regarding the MHRA’s decision to register Nelsons Arnicare Arnica 30c homeopathic pillules as treatment for sprains and bruises: […] MHRA label seems to be illegal The strap …

Homeopath accused of manslaughter

The trial of a couple accused of the manslaughter of their daughter by gross criminal negligence continues before an Australian court. Homeopath Thomas Sam, 42, and his 36-year-old wife Manju have pleaded not guilty to the death of Gloria Thomas, their 9-month-old daughter. According to …

Prince Charles new voluntary register for CAM practitioners is a joke

The new year has brought an interesting development in the relationship between the state and the alternative medicine industry. On Monday the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), a register for practitioners of alternative medicine opened its doors for the first time. At first glance …

10 bullshit hangover cures for the New Year

The UK leads the way in festive boozing, various surveys have shown. Even more than the French, it is the British who drink most (per capita) during the Christmas season. But what follows, we all know, is not so much fun. On the first day …

Dodgy Originals: Prince Charles launches ‘herbal remedy’ line

Prince Charles’ Duchy Originals is about to add herbal remedies to its line-up of expensive “organic” products. In partnership with Nelsons, a major homeopathic manufacturer, the creams, pills and tinctures will be sold by Boots and Waitrose, with profits going to The Prince’s Foundation. Charles has long been …

Google Trends predicts the demise of homeopathy

Breaking news from the world of alternative medicine: homeopaths are in serious trouble. That, at least, is what current Google Trends statistics seem to suggest. One of Counterknowledge.com’s allies – the excellent Quackometer – has discovered that internet users in the UK are googling homeopathy …

Prince Charles as King: A Regal “No” to GM Crops?

To coincide with his 60th birthday, Prince Charles – a.k.a. the Prince of Counterknowledge – took the opportunity to make an important announcement via his friend and biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby. When Charles is made King, wrote Dimbleby in the Sunday Times, he will continue to …

120 pills later…

It’s August and it’s raining. The holiday’s a disaster and you’re bored. Why not detox? Lesley Thomas of the Daily Telegraph wins this week’s sucker of the week award. She’s normally a bit grumpy, she tells us, but last week she “went running before the …