THE NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL

Response to letter from the NZ Council of Homeopaths Gwyneth Evans, on behalf of the NZ Council of Homeopaths, has put a positive spin1 on our homeopathy survey findings.2 Our survey investigated whether patients presenting to their GP believed that homeopathy worked, understood how it worked, and whether it contained any active ingredients, not whether homeopathy was effective. To answer her specific points, firstly, beliefs about effectiveness and measurable outcomes are not the same thing; that is, a belief that homeopathy is effective is not proof that homeopathy is effective. We do note, however, that positive beliefs may predict placebo effects. Second, our brief survey was not funded. We were concerned that people are wasting their time and money on homeopathy and wanted to understand why it was popular. The survey showed that almost every user was unaware that there were no active ingredients present in homeopathy products. Third, we see no need to further add to the body of scientific knowledge into th