In Ontario, a homeopathy act, that began 8 years ago received royal assent on Wednesday. Since Ontario homeopaths will now be regulated in a manner similar to how doctors and nurses are regulated, skeptics are critical that it legitimizes the field – but they seem to be the only ones unhappy.
“I see this as an issue partly of public safety, to provide for our homeopaths a standard of care and guidelines under which they are expected to practice,” said Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins. Hoskins added that it’s up to educated Ontarians to choose the form of health care they want to be provided with.
This legislation establishes the College of Homeopaths of Ontario as the governing body for the homeopathic industry in Ontario.
Meanwhile in the good old USA, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a public hearing to obtain information and comments from stakeholders about the current use of human drug and biological products labeled as homeopathic, as well as the Agency’s regulatory framework for such products. These products include prescription drugs and biological products labeled as homeopathic and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs labeled as homeopathic.
The hearing takes place April 20-21, 2015 from 9 until 4 in Silver Spring, Maryland. FDA is seeking participants for the public hearing and written comments from all interested parties, including, but not limited to, consumers, patients, caregivers, health care professionals, patient groups, and industry. FDA is seeking input on a number of specific questions, but is interested in any other pertinent information participants would like to share
