Homeopathy poses a threat if advocated for the treatment or prevention of serious conditions, the MHRA has stated, in the latest twist to the homeopathy debate.

The comments follow a report on Channel 4 regarding the use of homeopathic remedies to prevent malaria.The Royal Pharmaceutical Society appeared on BBC’s Newsnight on January 4 stating there was no scientific or clinical evidence to support the efficacy of homeopathic products.In its strong statement against the use of homeopathy for the treatment of serious conditions, the MHRA issued a reminder yesterday that it had removed products used for the prevention of malaria and treatment of cancer from the market in previous years.Last year the BMA called for the funding of homeopathic remedies to be dropped by the NHS, and the remedies have continued to spark controversy.The MHRA stated that it is important that they regulate homeopathic products so that they could intervene in situations where regulations were abused.“Registration of homeopathic products for marketing is conditional on quality and safety criteria, evidence that the product is indeed a homeopathic product as recognised by homeopaths, and that the labelling National Rules products does not include any other indication than a minor self limiting condition,” the MHRA explained.To view the BBC Newsnight programme on homeopathy click here and go to 15.50 minutes into the programme