The European Academies’ Scientific Advisory Council (EASAC) recently published a statement on Homeopathic products and practices, the analysis and conclusions of which were based on supposedly ‘excellent science-based assessments already published by authoritative and impartial bodies.’

The statement is intended to provide a scientific basis for policy making for homeopathic medicinal products in the EU. As such, it is disappointing that EASAC cites the discredited House of Commons Science and Technology Committee report (2010) and Australian NHMRC Report on homeopathy (2015). Any statement which is to be used to inform policy-making should be based on accurate, up-to-date information. In citing the sources above, and apparently not performing any first-hand analysis on the wealth of evidence that supports homeopathy, EASAC’s statement can not reasonably be used to inform decisions which would ultimately influence the healthcare of EU citizens.

The official response by BPI – German national pharmaceutical industry trade association – provides a clear analysis of the EASAC statement which they describe as being prepared by « a working group of 11 scientists acting in an individual capacity », reminding us that « EASAC is neither an institution of the European Union (“EU”) nor a body tasked by the EU or by any EU Member State ».