From Mr U. Shabibi, MRPharmS
SIR,—I think it was inappropriate for Professor Ernst's article to bear the title "The demise of homoeopathy" (PJ, January 8, p56). The article clearly demonstrated that there is still a need for further unbiased research in homoeopathy. Conventional medicine has a lot to answer for. A quick look at any pharmacy counter shows many rather ineffective products on display. According to the British National Formulary, the following pharmaceutical products are of uncertain benefit: many cough and cold preparations, preparations for acute diarrhoea, products containing dimethicone, combined analgesic preparations as opposed to the single component analgesics, various external preparations containing crotamiton, calamine, antihistamines, local anaesthetics, and the many antiseptic throat lozenges and sprays.
Usama Shabibi
Edgware, Middlesex