The Federal Trade Commission ruled that all homeopathic remedies must carry labels indicating they lack scientific evidence of their effectiveness.
Remedies that can prove their effectiveness must do so.
Homeopathy is the belief that symptoms of the disease can be treated with very tiny doses of substances that also cause that symptom. It has been largely debunked by modern science but is still very popular in some circles. In 2015, a study found homeopathy was ineffective at treating any condition.
For the vast majority of OTC homeopathic drugs ... there are no valid studies using current scientific methods showing the product's efficacy.
A ruling in 1988 allowed marketers to sell homeopathic products over the counter without proving they actually worked. Now, to avoid accusations of false advertising, homeopathic medicine have disclaimers about its effectiveness on the label.
And just to be safe, the FTC also ruled marketers can't "undercut" the disclaimers with "additional positive statements or consumer endorsements." (Pictured: A homeopathic medicine made from sulfur.)
FTC shows some backbone where FDA and Congress never have, calling out homeopathy as the utter nonsense it is https://t.co/lngdnsovF3
— Steven Salzberg (@StevenSalzberg1) November 21, 2016
Science writers praised the FTC's stance.
The US government is finally telling people that homeopathy is a sham - Vox https://t.co/zPgIhcw0kQ
— C. Michael Gibson MD (@CMichaelGibson) November 21, 2016
One doctor outright referred to homeopathy as a "sham" outright.
WATCH | For more news you need, watch our 60 Second Circa.
