• Defective Drug Side Effects

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In the early 1990s, a homeopathic brand called Hyland’s crossed over as a “natural” remedy to be sold alongside mainstream drugs on store shelves. Homeopathic benefits belief is based on the idea that natural substances in small amounts can stimulate the body’s healing response, though its actual effects have been disputed.

By 2000, half a dozen homeopathic products were being sold, with the popularity of the products taking off. Though many consumers were interested in the “natural” healing effects the remedies claimed they had, some consumers were unaware of the difference between alternative and traditional medicines that are sold in the same drugstore aisles.

Some experts are worried about the inability for consumers to distinguish between the two types of remedies. The Food and Drug Administration does not review homeopathic remedies for safety and effectiveness, unlike prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

The sale of the homeopathic remedies is allowed unless the FDA is able to prove that they are harmful. Just a few quality controls and labeling rules exist for herbal and homeopathic remedies, which are regulated separately than over-the-counter drugs.

According to Steven Dentali of the American Herbal Products Association, his group wants new safety requirements, including mandatory reporting of adverse side effects because they believe it will show a good safety record. After citing the popularity of dietary supplements last month, the Institute of Medicine called for tougher rules to make sure the products are safe and effective.

Though it makes sense for drugstores to put remedies where consumers can easily locate them, it often means mixing them with over-the-counter medicines that are under FDA regulation. Homeopathic products say the packaging indicates when they are homeopathic and not reviewed by the FDA, but experts still think it is confusing for consumers trying to understand what type of data exists showing how well the product may work.