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Oscillococcinum®: Misunderstanding or biased interest?

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 25; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.ejim.2013.10.011

1879-0828

Salvatore Chirumbolo,

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies

Contrasting opinions still exist about the efficacy of Oscillococcinum®, the most famous homeopathic remedy from Boiron Laboratoires, Lyon (F), which is commonly used for flu, season colds and airway inflammatory affections. This popular homeopathic medicine is scarcely supported by clinical and pharmacological evidence and, therefore, further investigations are needed to assess its supposed efficacy in flu. While a cutting Editorial from Weissman in 2006, sought to make fun of this homeopathic medicine for the flu, because it is made from the liver and heart of a duck [ [1] Weissmann G. Homeopathy: Holmes, Hogwarts, and the Prince of Wales. FASEB J. 2006; 20: 1755-1758 Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Ullman D. Let's have a serious discussion of nanopharmacology and homeopathy. FASEB J. 2006; 20 (Comment in:): 2661 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar ], the immediate following comment by D. Ullman on the issue and the contrasting opinion by Prof. C. Boiron in this journal [ 1 Weissmann G. Homeopathy: Holmes, Hogwarts, and the Prince of Wales. FASEB J. 2006; 20: 1755-1758 Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Ullman D. Let's have a serious discussion of nanopharmacology and homeopathy. FASEB J. 2006; 20 (Comment in:): 2661 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar , 2 Boiron C. Homeopathy, a tremendous opportunity for medicine!. Eur J Int Med. 2011; 22 ([author reply 118–9]): 117-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar ], did not contribute to achieve a clear overview about this topic, quite the contrary. Honestly, the ongoing encouraging sale of Oscillococcinum® could not care less both of the many criticisms in evidence based medicine (EBM) and people confidence. People appear to trust homeopathy as an effective approach by hearsay: this elicits a positive attitude that may also promote a placebo response. However, even those medicines from homeopathy, used as placebo by physicians, may bear potential damage to patients [ [3] Garattini S. Bertelé V. Banzi R. Placebo? No thanks, it might be bad for me!. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013; 69: 711-714 Crossref PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar ]: this obviously raises a bioethical concern.