There has certainly been a lot of talk lately about homeopathy and lawsuits. I have discussed the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy’s attempt to obtain through litigation the legitimacy they can’t achieve by proving their methods work through scientific research. And Science-Based Medicine had an article today about the French company Boiron suing an Italian blogger for pointing out that their product Oscillo is nothing but a sugar pill and cannot possibly be useful for treating flu symptoms. So I admit I was a little bit ambivalent to see the tables turned by a lawsuit in California, accusing Boiron of fraud for implying Oscillo has therapeutic effects. In general, I don’t believe the courts are the best place to adjudicate disputes about the scientific merits of medical therapies. However, it is true that homeopathy cannot be viewed as anything other than delusion or fraud, and it is satisfying to see someone has the courage to point out that there can be no reasonable justification for profiting from selling homeopathic products.
The complaint is succinct and illustrates starkly how ridiculous it is to market any homeopathic remedy as if it were medicine.
Oscillococcinum (the “Ocillo”) is nothing more than a sugar pill that Defendants falsely advertise has the ability to cure the flu. In reality, Oscillo has no impact on the flu or any symptoms that accompany the flu…
The truth is that the listed active ingredient in Oscillo, Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum, is neither active in combating the flu nor is it actually an ingredient in Oscillo… Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum has no known medicinal quality, further, in the extreme dilution claimed by Defendants, it has no impact on the human body whatsoever because it is not present in Oscillo.
Defendants claim that the active ingredient in Oscillo, Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum, is diluted to 200CK…At this purported dilution, the probability of getting 1 molecule of the active ingredient of Oscillo in a regular dosage is approximately equal to winning the Powerball every week for an[sic] nearly an entire year…
Defendants are fully aware that there is no Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum present in Oscillo. In an interview with the U.S. News and World Report, Defendants stated, “[of] course its safe. There’s nothing in it.”
…Defendants sell Oscillo for approximately $10 per unit based on the preceding false advertising claims. As a result, Defendants have wrongfully taken milloons of dollars from California consumers.
I am not optimistic that the suit will be successful or meaningfully impact the marketing of water as medicine. But as a matter of principle, and as an opportunity to educate the public, the lawsuit is worthwhile, and I applaud the plaintiff for making his efforts.
I am going to cut a little check to Henry. Just gave a waiter a twenty five buck tip yesterday for getting our order wrong so i can afford it. The mans on a mission and needs to know people care about what he is doing.
art
Excellent idea! I’ll do the same.
I cannot find his address anywhere to send him a check. I see his lawyer listed their address but it would like to see Henry go to his mail box every morning to find a bunch of checks in his name. Anyone know henry’s address?
art
It’s a nice idea, but I imagine he’s not eager to have his personal address made public. I know I’m not! Probably the law firm is the best place to send anything.