FDA gets an earful on homeopathy

Back in October, FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless made some big waves among supporters of homeopathy, the centuries old alternative medicine practice, when he announced that the FDA was withdrawing a “compliance guide” that allowed homeopathic products to be marketed even when they don’t meet the FDA’s standards for safety and efficacy. That move made it far easier for the FDA to crack down on homeopathic drugs.

While this might seem like a niche issue, these products are sold everywhere from Walmart to Whole Foods. And if you’ve taken Cold-Eeze or Zicam, you’ve taken a homeopathic product. 

Sharpless has said that the FDA only intends to go after the most dangerous homeopathic products, like the homeopathic teething tablets that recently caused seizures and deaths in infants. But that was cold comfort for homeopathy enthusiasts, who have flooded the FDA’s online comment board with criticism. 

Here’s one of my favorites: “MY body, MY choice. I chose to heal using homeopathics over pharmaceuticals first. How dare you take that right away? Homeopathics pose ZERO risk. Your FDA approved pharmaceuticals do!”

More than 1,000 people used the words “Big Pharma,” many to deride the FDA for this alleged giveaway to the industry. Yes, I counted. 

This isn’t all spontaneous outrage: There’s multiple groups organizing around the country to send comments to the FDA. One such group, Americans for Homeopathy Choice, has been pushing to gather 100,000 letters to the FDA before the January 23 comment deadline.