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[[image:Boiron.jpg|Certificate for alleged student "Donald Duck" as ''Boiron certified specialist'' (Italian: Paperino=Donald Duck, Source: <ref>http://medbunker.blogspot.com/2011/01/paperino-lomeopata.html</ref>)|360px|thumb]]

[[image:Boiron.jpg|Certificate for alleged student "Donald Duck" as ''Boiron certified specialist'' (Italian: Paperino = Donald Duck, Source: <ref>http://medbunker.blogspot.com/2011/01/paperino-lomeopata.html</ref>)|360px|thumb]]

French pharmaceutical company '''Boiron''' is the world largest manufacturer of [[Homeopathy|homeopathic]] products. Branches of the listed company exist in 59&nbsp;countries. However, Boiron has no presence in German speaking countries.

French pharmaceutical company '''Boiron''' is the world largest manufacturer of [[Homeopathy|homeopathic]] products. Branches of the listed company exist in 59&nbsp;countries. However, Boiron has no presence in German speaking countries.

In 2009 Boiron had a turnover of 526&nbsp;million Euros (91&nbsp;million euro profit). In 2004, it employed a workforce of 2,779 people. The majority of shares is held by the Boiron family, the managing director also is a member of this family .

In 2009, Boiron had a turnover of 526&nbsp;million Euros (91&nbsp;million euro profit). In 2004, it employed a workforce of 2,779 persons. The majority of shares is held by the Boiron family, the managing director also is a member of this family .

In June 2005 Dolisos Laboratories, another manufacturer of homeopathic products, was bought by Boiron.

In June 2005 Dolisos Laboratories, another manufacturer of homeopathic products, was bought by Boiron.

Their range of articles include classic homeopathic preparations according to [[Samuel Hahnemann|Hahnemann]] as well as so called "poly"-preparations from  [[combination homeopathic remedies]].  

Their range of articles include classic homeopathic preparations according to [[Samuel Hahnemann|Hahnemann]] as well as so called "poly"-preparations from  [[homeopathic combination remedies]].  

==History==

==History==

The actual founder was Parisian pharmacist and homeopathic asherent René Baudry, who founded the "Pharmacie générale homéopathique française" in Paris (boulevard Malesherbes&nbsp;68,&nbsp;8.&nbsp;arrondissement of Paris) in 1911. In 1922, Baudry sold his business and founded a "Laboratoire central homéopathique rhodanien" in Lyon.

The actual founder was Parisian pharmacist and homeopathic adherent René Baudry, who founded the "Pharmacie générale homéopathique française" in Paris (boulevard Malesherbes&nbsp;68,&nbsp;8.&nbsp;arrondissement of Paris) in 1911. In 1922, Baudry sold his business and founded a "Laboratoire central homéopathique rhodanien" in Lyon.

The brothers Jean und Henri Boiron (both pharmacists) contacted Baudry later and were employed by him. In 1932, the Boiron brothers founded the "Laboratoire central homéopathique de France" at the aforementioned address which later became the "Laboratoires Homéopathiques Modernes" (LHM).

The brothers Jean und Henri Boiron (both pharmacists) contacted Baudry later and were employed by him. In 1932, the Boiron brothers founded the "Laboratoire central homéopathique de France" at the aforementioned address which later became the "Laboratoires Homéopathiques Modernes" (LHM).

:Active ingredient: Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum (extract of Muscovy Duck liver and heart) 200CK HPUS 1×10−400 g. Inactive ingredient: 0.85 g sucrose, 0.15 g lactose (100% sugar)

:Active ingredient: Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum (extract of Muscovy Duck liver and heart) 200CK HPUS 1×10−400 g. Inactive ingredient: 0.85 g sucrose, 0.15 g lactose (100% sugar)

Efficacy of Oscillococcinum against influenza is not scientifically proven. A Cochrane review found seven studies on the subject and came to the conclusion that only two of them can be evaluated and no evidence of efficacy could be established:

Efficacy of Oscillococcinum against influenza is not proven scientifically. A Cochrane review found seven studies on the subject and came to the conclusion that only two of them can be evaluated and no evidence of efficacy could be established:

:''Main results - ... There was no evidence that homoeopathic treatment can prevent influenza-like syndrome...Oscillococcinum treatment reduced the length of influenza illness by 0.28 days (95% CI 0.50 to 0.06). Oscillococcinum also increased the chances that a patient considered treatment to be effective (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.00)...Authors' conclusions - Though promising, the data were not strong enough to make a general recommendation to use Oscillococcinum for first-line treatment of influenza and influenza-like syndromes. Further research is warranted but the required sample sizes are large. Current evidence does not support a preventative effect of Oscillococcinum-like homeopathic medicines in influenza and influenza-like syndromes.''<ref>Andrew Vickers, Claire Smith: ''Homoeopathic Oscillococcinum for preventing and treating influenza and influenza-like syndromes'', The Cochrane Library, 15.4.2009, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001957.pub3 [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001957.pub3/abstract abstract]</ref>

:''Main results - ... There was no evidence that homoeopathic treatment can prevent influenza-like syndrome...Oscillococcinum treatment reduced the length of influenza illness by 0.28 days (95% CI 0.50 to 0.06). Oscillococcinum also increased the chances that a patient considered treatment to be effective (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.00)...Authors' conclusions - Though promising, the data were not strong enough to make a general recommendation to use Oscillococcinum for first-line treatment of influenza and influenza-like syndromes. Further research is warranted but the required sample sizes are large. Current evidence does not support a preventative effect of Oscillococcinum-like homeopathic medicines in influenza and influenza-like syndromes.''<ref>Andrew Vickers, Claire Smith: ''Homoeopathic Oscillococcinum for preventing and treating influenza and influenza-like syndromes'', The Cochrane Library, 15.4.2009, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001957.pub3 [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001957.pub3/abstract abstract]</ref>

[[image:Blogzero.jpg|Offending article with caricatures promptly removed (note in red letters) at blogzero.it|320px|thumb]]  

[[image:Blogzero.jpg|Offending article with caricatures promptly removed (note in red letters) at blogzero.it|320px|thumb]]  

[[image:Boiron_Riva2.jpg|left|Threathening letter from Boiron, page 2|thumb]]

[[image:Boiron_Riva2.jpg|left|Threathening letter from Boiron, page 2|thumb]]

[[image:Boiron3.jpg|Attentive tracking of the thread and reactions to it in the Internet ("Streisand Effekt") at "börsennews.de"<ref>http://winfuture.de/news,64979.html</ref>|320px|thumb]]

[[image:Boiron3.jpg|Attentive tracking of the thread and reactions to it in the internet ("Streisand Effekt") at "börsennews.de"<ref>http://winfuture.de/news,64979.html</ref>|320px|thumb]]

The actions against Italian blogger Samuele Riva from Milan by multinational pharmaceutical company Boiron with a budget of millions seem to be an ill-matched fight matching David against Golitath. On July&nbsp;13 and July&nbsp;27 2011, the 28-year-old computer scientist added two ridiculing articles on homeopathy to his blog, titled "Homeopathy - myth and legend" (''omeopatia mito e leggenda'') (Article&nbsp;1: [http://www.blogzero.it/2011/07/13/omeopatia-mito-e-leggenda-1/] Article&nbsp;2: [http://www.blogzero.it/2011/07/27/omeopatia-mito-e-leggenda-2/]). The blogger also showed two pictures of Oscillococcinum with comments. According to the threatening letter of Boiron company, Riva added the following text below the pictures:

The actions against Italian blogger Samuele Riva from Milan by multinational pharmaceutical company Boiron with a budget of millions seem to be an uneven fight matching David against Golitath. On July&nbsp;13 and July&nbsp;27 2011, the 28-year-old computer scientist added two ridiculing articles on homeopathy to his blog, titled "Homeopathy - myth and legend" (''omeopatia mito e leggenda'') (Article&nbsp;1: [http://www.blogzero.it/2011/07/13/omeopatia-mito-e-leggenda-1/] Article&nbsp;2: [http://www.blogzero.it/2011/07/27/omeopatia-mito-e-leggenda-2/]). The blogger also showed two pictures of Oscillococcinum with comments. According to the threatening letter of Boiron company, Riva added the following text below the pictures:

*13.7.2011..''Il piu Nulla totale che secondo la Boiron cura l'influenza ... diluito 200K non contiene alcuna molecola di pricipio attivo. ("The absolute nothing which is supposed to cure flu according to Boiron" ... "diluted 200K it does not even contain one molecule of the active substance")  

*13.7.2011..''Il piu Nulla totale che secondo la Boiron cura l'influenza ... diluito 200K non contiene alcuna molecola di pricipio attivo. ("The absolute nothing which is supposed to cure flu according to Boiron" ... "diluted 200K it does not even contain one molecule of the active substance")