Dr. Briggs Response to AP Article

Dr. Briggs asked that we respond on her behalf regarding your recent query about homeopathy research at NCCAM. She also wanted us to let you know that she is glad to hear you are doing so well in regard to your health.

NCCAM will continue to accept investigator-initiated research grant applications for homeopathy and will continue to consider for funding those that receive outstanding scores in peer review.

In regard to the AP article about the regulation of homeopathic remedies, the quote attributed to Dr. Briggs is one very short sentence, "The evidence is not there at this point." This was a comment on the general state of the scientific evidence base for homeopathic treatments and their use in clinical practice. The statement that NCCAM is "...now abandoning studies on homeopathic drugs" was the reporter’s. Dr. Briggs did comment that homeopathy drug research has posed major scientific challenges and has generally not done well in NIH peer review.

Receiving a grant from NCCAM is an intensely competitive process; the Center has one of the lowest success rates at the NIH. As with all NIH grant applications, applications for research on homeopathy must undergo a rigorous two-stage process of peer review, which helps ensure the most promising and meritorious research is funded.

We appreciate your sending your readers to our messages on the web.

We welcome the President of the National Center for Homeopathy to contact us directly.

Sincerely,
Catherine Law, MTSC
Science Writer/Press Team Leader
NCCAM Office of Communications

Dear Mr. Land,

I can confirm that this response was sent by me on behalf of Dr. Briggs to Mr. John Weeks on 6/23/09 and is authentic.

Sincerely,
Catherine

Catherine Law, MTSC
Science Writer/Press Team Leader
NCCAM Office of Communications

AAHP Statement Regarding FDA Action
Against Zicam Intranasal Zinc Products

The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) acknowledges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) action to protect the public by sending a Warning Letter to Matrixx Innovations, Inc. in connection with that company’s sale of Zicam intranasal zinc medications. According to FDA, these intranasal zinc products have been associated with a number of cases of loss of smell. Matrixx now has an opportunity to respond to FDA’s concerns about the safety of their products.

Homeopathic medicines have an extraordinary record of safety. Consumers and healthcare professionals alike should be assured that the FDA’s action in regards to certain Zicam products, does not apply to this class of drugs as a whole. Rather, the FDA’s advisory relates only to the nasal application of a specific zinc product.

Homeopathic medications are regulated by the FDA and have been used safely in the United States since before the passage of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide (CPG 7132.15) “Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May Be Marketed” has been an effective and workable way to regulate homeopathic drugs since 1988 and, as shown by FDA’s action on June 16th, it allows FDA to take action when action is required to protect the public.