| It has been repeatedly observed in Germany that homoeopaths will use a remedy by the name of "Malaria 2000", using it as a prophylactic with patients who intend to enter countries where malaria happens to be endemic. On quite a regular basis, hospitals will treat patients suffering from malaria who report to have done a prophylaxis with this remedy but contracted the disease all the same. There was at least one fatal case in which a patient died after having undergone a prophylaxis with Malaria 2000. | | It has been repeatedly observed in Germany that homoeopaths will use a remedy by the name of "Malaria 2000", using it as a prophylactic with patients who intend to enter countries where malaria happens to be endemic. On quite a regular basis, hospitals will treat patients suffering from malaria who report to have done a prophylaxis with this remedy but contracted the disease all the same. There was at least one fatal case in which a patient died after having undergone a prophylaxis with Malaria 2000. |
− | On its website, a public radio station in Bavaria quotes the Munich Institute for Tropical Diseases which established several fatalities of persons having relied on a homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis. In publications, the Drug Commissions of Pharmacists and the German Medical Association explicitly cautioned against such homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis: Already on March 19, 1998, the Drug Commission of Pharmacists cautioned against a homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis. It is explicitly pointed out that malaria is a serious and in some cases life-threatening medical condition which "may not be met by non-specific homoeopathic remedies with which patients believe to be able to acquire an increased immunity towards malaria pathogens. There are cases on record in scientific literature in which such a "prophylaxis" failed. We therefore strongly advise against dispensing homoeopathic remedies for malaria prophylaxis. The warning issued by the Drug Commission of German Medical Doctors (AMK), published in German Medical News issue no. 95 dated August 19, 1998, is even more explicit and insistent. AMK refers to the homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis provided by one particular company, writing: [...] Practising physicians prescribing homoeopathic malaria prophylaxes to patients will face consequences under professional codes of practice and will be prosecuted criminally. Malaria is a serious disease which may be life-threatening, [...] Due to acute dangers for patients relying on the homoeopathic remedy received, AMK views this as malpractice and, to protect patients, strictly advises against prescribing such remedies. | + | On its website, a public radio station in Bavaria quotes the Munich Institute for Tropical Diseases which established several fatalities of persons having relied on a homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis. In publications, the Drug Commissions of Pharmacists and the German Medical Association explicitly cautioned against such homoeopathic malaria prophylaxes: Already on March 19, 1998, the Drug Commission of Pharmacists cautioned against a homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis. It is explicitly pointed out that malaria is a serious and in some cases life-threatening medical condition which "may not be met by non-specific homoeopathic remedies with which patients believe to be able to acquire an increased immunity towards malaria pathogens. There are cases on record in scientific literature in which such a "prophylaxis" failed. We therefore strongly advise against dispensing homoeopathic remedies for malaria prophylaxis". The warning issued by the Drug Commission of German Medical Doctors (AMK), published in German Medical News issue no. 95 dated August 19, 1998, is even more explicit and insistent. AMK refers to the homoeopathic malaria prophylaxis provided by one particular company, writing: [...] Practising physicians prescribing homoeopathic malaria prophylaxes to patients will face consequences under professional codes of practice and will be prosecuted criminally. Malaria is a serious disease which may be life-threatening, [...] Due to acute dangers for patients relying on the homoeopathic remedy received, AMK views this as malpractice and, to protect patients, strictly advises against prescribing such remedies. |
| On the other hand, disease prophylaxis per se is controversial within the homoeopathy scene, since no homoeopathic remedies can be found in the absence of recognizable symptoms. Such malaria prophylaxes also emerged in England, causing British NHS to suspend payments to homoeopathic facilities in 2008. | | On the other hand, disease prophylaxis per se is controversial within the homoeopathy scene, since no homoeopathic remedies can be found in the absence of recognizable symptoms. Such malaria prophylaxes also emerged in England, causing British NHS to suspend payments to homoeopathic facilities in 2008. |