Homeopathy practices are not statutorily regulated in the UK (60) and registration is not compulsory. There are three major professional associations that between them regulate some 2500 non-medical practitioners.
Homeopathy has been recognized by law as a distinct therapeutic system for doctors since the Faculty of Homeopathy in the UK was established by the Faculty of Homeopathy Act of 1950 (314). The faculty offers homeopathy training courses to statutorily registered healthcare professionals like dentists, doctors, nurses, midwives, osteopaths, pharmacists, podiatrists and veterinary surgeons (314).
At some universities optional CAM courses including homeopathy are offered but not as part of normal medical training (106). Within the NHS in the UK there are 3 homeopathic hospitals, 7 NHS referral clinics and in many areas GPs integrate homeopathy in their primary care practice (106, 309).
60. ECHAMP. Homeopathic and Anthroposophic Medicine: Facts and Figures. Second Edition ed: ECHAMP E.E.I.G: European Coalition on Homeopathic and Anthroposophic Medicinal Products E.E.I.G; 2007.
106. CAMDOC Alliance ECH ECPM ICMART and IVAA. The regulatory status of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for medical doctors in Europe. Brussels 2010 January 2010. Report No.: 2010.
309. Ton Nicolai; President; European Committee for Homeopathy. Email: CAM in Europe- different comments on countrywide regulations. 2012.
314. Faculty of homopathy. Faculty of homopathy: ensuring the highest standards in homeopathy education and practice. Faculty of homopathy; 2012 [cited 2012 January 11,]; Available from: http://www.facultyofhomeopathy.org/about_us/how_the_faculty_works.html.
