PROTECT YOUR HEALTH CARE CHOICES
Homeopathy in Australia is about to come under the most powerful attack yet by the Australian Health Ethics Committee, part of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which has drafted a Public Statement on Homeopathy stating that “it is unethical for health practitioners to treat patients using homeopathy, for the reason that homeopathy has not been shown to be efficacious.”
The NHMRC has based its belief on the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee (STC) finding that homeopathy is no more effective than placebo. This committee was strongly biased against homeopathy and failed to adequately consult with homeopathic organisations in the UK and other international professional bodies, nor did they consult any of the studies favourable to homeopathy.
The STC recommendations were NOT accepted by the UK parliament, which cited the patient’s right to choose their own form of health care.
Now, Australia’s leading medical research organisation, the NHMRC, has compiled a two-page document to have homeopathy declared ‘unethical’. The NHMRC has not consulted with the homeopathic profession in Australia, nor consulted any of the positive studies on homeopathy. (See http://www.extraordinarymedicine.org/)
The aim of this measure is to recommend to Health Funds NOT to offer rebates for patients using homeopathy. If the NHMRC position is unimpeded, this could affect you, the recipients of homeopathic treatment. Your rebates are small enough as it is, now they are in danger of disappearing all together!
We urge you to contact the NHMRC through their website http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/ OR
Professor Warwick Anderson & Dr Sandra Hacker
National Health and Medical Research Council
GPO Box 1421
Canberra ACT 2601
making an official complaint, to which the NHMRC must respond.
To lodge a complaint with NHMRC, simply Google ‘Complaints NHMRC’ and you’ll get a complaints form which you can fill in on-line. Write what you want to say on another document so that you have a record, then copy and paste it into the NHMRC form.
Tell the NHMRC about your experience with homeopathy, and if it has been the case, how usual medical treatment was not effective for you. Emphasise that it is unethical to have your health care choices compromised for dubious reasons.
We also recommend that you contact the Health Minister, Nicola Roxon about this matter at Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
OR
1 Thomas Holmes Street, Maribyrnong Vic 3032
LETTERS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN EMAILS, so if you are able, write letters.
You can also contact your local MP and let him or her know of your concerns: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/find-your-local-mp.htm
