Page 14 - Autumn 20

Narrative Review
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Narrative Review “Evidence-based homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy, and its potential to help overcome the antimicrobial resistance problem - an overview” published in a conventional peer-reviewed journal in October 2020
Dr Petra Weiermayer, Prof michael Frass, Dr thomas Peinbauer and Dr Liesbeth Ellinger, two human physicians and two veterinarians, have written a narrative review in the spirit of “One Health”, entitled “Evidence- based homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy, and its potential to help overcome the antimicrobial resistance problem – an overview”, which was published in a conventional peer-reviewed journal1.
The authors clarify the factual situation, which shows evidence for the effectiveness of human and veterinary homeopathy in general, and in homeopathic treatment of infections in particular. On the basis of evidence, they criticize the approach taken in the second Australian NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) Report and the EASAC (European Academies Science Advisory Council) Statement2, 3.
This review serves, among other things, as a foundation for cooperation with universities in Austria, Germany and Switzerland regarding research projects to evaluate the potential of homeopathy and phytotherapy for the reduction of antibiotics. In view of the demands of the European Green Deal (Farm2Fork Strategy) and the EU Organic Regulation 2018/848:
1 to reduce the use of antibiotics by 50% throughout the Eu by 20304
2 to increase the number of organic farms in the Eu from 8% to 25% by 20304
3 to give preference to homeopathy and phytotherapy in organic farms before conventional medicines including antibiotics are used5
The application of these complementary medical disciplines in the sense of integrative veterinary medicine, i.e. to combine conventional and complementary medical therapy procedures (“best practices”), is proactive and innovative.
The conclusion of the narrative review clearly discusses the legal and scientific foundations of homeopathy. Evidence level 1a studies are reviewed regarding external evidence on the general use of human and veterinary homeopathy, and, when focusing on external evidence on the use of homeopathy in infections, some evidence level 1a, 1b, 2c studies are described in more detail. They conclude:
“The current national laws (Switzerland, Austria, Germany) and EU legislation guarantee the quality and safety of homeopathic medicinal products as well as the
safety of homeopathic therapies carried out lege artis6 - 15 “.
Evidence for the effectiveness of human and veterinary homeopathy in general, and in particular in the treatment of infections, is sufficiently proven for further research in this field. Five of the six meta-analyses on different indications up to 2014 (see Table 2) concluded that the effectiveness of homeopathic therapy differs from placebo16 – 20. Only the systematic review with meta- analysis of 2005 as well as the second Australian NHMRC Report and the EASAC Statement, where more than 90% of the studies were excluded from the analysis in each case, did not show any effectiveness of homeopathy beyond placebo21, 2, 3. A review in 2013 already confirmed that more than 90% of all studies must be excluded in order to conclude that homeopathy is not effective22. Individualized homeopathy especially demonstrates effects at all quality levels according to Cochrane criteria,