THE LIGA LETTER - October 1998

THE CRUCIAL LINK: REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL VICE–PRESIDENTS

The National Vice Presidents/Representatives of Austria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic,

France, Germany, Ghana, Georgia, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the USA are to be congratulated for submitting
the requested summaries of their annual reports. The remaining country reports are derived
from the Minutes of the International Council Meeting held in Amsterdam 25 April 1998.

ARGENTINA
Dr. Micaela Moizé, NVP

Homeopathy is highly developed, both in medical practice and in teaching. However, it has
not been legally recognized and no related courses are available at state universities.
Nevertheless, the practice is allowed, provided that it is practiced by professionally qualified
doctors who have graduated from recognized medical schools.
The Cordoba Province Senate unanimously approved a project for establishing rules for the
professional practice of homeopathy.
The Federation of Argentine Homeopathic Medical Associations supports the Minimum
Basic Programme for the Teaching of Homeopathy in America. The purpose of the
Federation is to incorporate and coordinate homeopathic research and educational institutions
and spread the practice of homeopathy throughout the country, as well as to establish rules
for professional conduct and uniform teaching standards. There are seven homeopathic
schools. Homeopathic schools give three year post graduate courses for physicians, obtaining
the title of medical homeopathy. Several publications are in course.

AUSTRALIA
Dr. Eric Asher, NVP

After a period of exponential growth in the 1980's, there has been a gradual attrition of
homeopaths owing to retirement of several of the most senior medical homeopaths in the
country. From the AMFHom have given up training doctors to the MFHom level and are
actively cooperating with a national body of homeopaths to lift the standard of overall patient
care to a safe level.
The Australian Integrative Medicine Association has been formed with close links with the
two bodies representing doctors: the AMA and the RACGP.

AUSTRIA
Dr. Katrin Strauch, NVP

In Austria there are two homeopathic associations with a total number of 855 members.
Homeopathy is recognized officially. A diploma is awarded to those doctors who have run
through the homeopathic training program. There are now 321 holders of the diploma in
Austria. There are no homeopathic hospitals in Austria, but regular homeopathic consultation
is available in 6 Austrian hospitals.

Regular lectures about homeopathy are held at the three Austrian universities, with a strong
student movement for homeopathy at the University of Vienna.

Representatives of the homeopathic associations are in close contact with medical and
political authorities. Concerning research, the "Ludwig Boltzmanninstitut für Homöopathie"
is working and investigating a lot. Further, there are two regular homeopathic publications in
Austria, the HIÖ, a quarterly journal, and the Documenta homœopathica, an annual book.

BELGIUM
Dr. Michel van Wassenhoven, NVP

LMHI members: 297. Associations: Unio Homeopathic Belgica, Societas Regalis

Homeopathica Belgica, Les Amis de l' Homeopathie, an association of patients and
sympathizers, the Rationale Association for Scientific Homeopathy and Homeopathisch
Bekeken. Also 8 schools are teaching homeopathy.
Several journals and publications, among them:
- La Revue Belge d' Homeopathie, a quarterly scientific journal edited by the Royal Society
for Homeopathy.
The political authorities have decided to recognize 4 unconventional therapies in Belgium.
Normally a vote on this topic is foreseen in JUNE 1998 IN THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT.
The COST Action B4 report was a very helpful tool to influence favorably the politicians
even if some academic authorities tried to stop this recognition.
Research and teaching are still first priorities for the upcoming years.
Starting in June 1998, all complementary insurances except one will reimburse the
homeopathic medications at a rate of 20 to 25% of the real cost.

BRAZIL
Dr. Margarida Maria Vieira, NVP

The Homeopathic School of Brazil was authorized by the imperial authorities in 1888. In
1980, the Federal Council of Medicine included homeopathy among the recognized medical
specialties and in 1982 the instructions have been established for obtaining the title of Doctor
Specialized in Homeopathy. In 1989 it was included in the Public Health Service with the
other medical specialties.
1996 marked 150 years of Homeopathy in Brazil, where the recognition is increasing every
day among the different social classes of the population and also among the health
professionals.
Today there are about 12,000 homeopathic physicians, 200 veterinarians, 100 dentists and
1,300 pharmacists.
There are several commissions at the Associação Médica Homeopática Brasileira: Pharmacy
and Medicine, Courses Evaluation, Research, Public Health, Medical Ethics and Professional
Defense, Scientific, International, Organization and Editorial.
In the near future, a new edition of the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia shall be made
official and valid for the entire Brazilian territory.
The 54th LMHI Congress will be held in Salvador de Bahia, and we shall be glad to meet
you there.

COSTA RICA
Dr. Alejandro Brenes Valverde, NVP

Prof. Madeleine Bastide from University of Montpellier, taught a Homeopathic

Pharmaceutical Course during the 16th Panamerican Pharmaceutical Congress in San José.
Fifty pharmacists attended the course and 100 more listened to Prof. Bastide in a main
conference about "Scientific research and mechanism of action of homeopathy." One day
after the Pharmacotherapy Committee of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)
(Institute of Health), received Prof. Bastide who spoke about "Basic research and theoretical
aspects of homeopathy," Nov. 5, 1997.

Jennifer Jacobs, M.D., from University of Seattle, was invited by the CCSS and the Medical
Council of Costa Rica to present a public conference about "Homeopathy, research and
perspectives in public health," February 13, 1998. It was a very important event attended by
physicians and health care professionals. The above cited committee of the CCSS, received
Dr. Jacobs and exchanged opinions and experiences about homeopathy and possibilities in
primary care.

André Saine, N.D., from the Canadian Academy of Homeopathy taught a four day seminar
about "Homeopathy and Cancer." The seminar was an activity for members of the Canadian
Academy in February 24-27, 1998. Dr. Saine did a very important work, with a review of
publications of cancer patients treated with homeopathy, since the last years of the past
century to the present. The participants learned about strategies in palliation or curative
possibilities of homeopathy in cancer patients.

In Costa Rica the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), cover more than 90% of the
population medical care. In August 1998, the CCSS constituted a Special Commission to
study the possibilities to introduce homeopathy in public health services. After the analysis of
the scientific, clinical, social and political considerations, these commissions finally, in May
1998, recommended to open a pilot impact and clinical study of homeopathy in the CCSS.

CUBA
Dr. Mayra Riveron Garrote, NVP

No report received.

CZECH REPUBLIC
Dr. Pavel Beles, NVP

The Homeopathic Society was founded in 1990. Homeopathy was approved by the Ministry
of Health to be a medical method in 1991. In 1993 it was confirmed by the Chamber of
Physicians. The new drug law came into effect on January 1, 1998, when homeopathic
treatment was defined as a drug, e.g., only a physician or a pharmacist can prescribe and sell
it by law. The Homeopathic Society consists of about 850 members / physicians and
pharmacists. Five hundred physicians from the mentioned members actively use
homeopathic drugs to treat patients.

Pregraduate education is only sporadic within the pharmaceutical faculty, besides there is
education at the faculty of medicine in Prague during pharmacology, 4 hours per year.
Postgraduate education - basic one- has been organized until now according to Austrian and
French model in range of 2-- hours. In accordance with the ECH standards, there is prepared
a model of education with 250 hours of theoretical lessons and 100 hours of practical ones.
This model has been elaborated by the homeopathic society. Education is guaranteed by the
Institute of Postgraduate Education in the health system State Institute managed by the
Ministry of Health. Since 1991 there have been course graduates totaling 4000 physicians
and 1000 pharmacists.

In the Czech Republic there are about 320 registered monocompound homeopathic drugs
from Dr. Peithner KG (Austria) and Boiron(France) companies.

There are in circulation journals with homeopathic topics in the Czech Republic as follows:
Regulation medicine, Homeopathy, Folia Homeopathica, Czech and Slovak homeopathy. A
number of books have been translated into Czech - from Kent, Boericke, Juanny, Stauffer.
Further, a number of the other seminars have been organized in which Austrian and French
speakers have often participated.

ESTONIA
Dr. Saima Tisler, Representative

Homeopathy came to Estonia at the beginning of this century. A book on Homeopathy was
published in 1925, and there was an homeopathic pharmacy in Tallinn. After 1945, the
situation changed and homeopathy was not legal. At the beginning of 1990, a group of
Russian doctors started to work on homeopathy again. In 1996 the First International
Homeopathic and Alternative Medical Congress was held.

The Estonian Society of Homeopathy was established in 1997 and there are 42 members,
mostly physicians. Meetings take place every month, with reports of the activities and
scientific conferences, and exchange of the practical work experiences. The society has some
difficulties at this moment regarding its place and financial situation. The possibilities for
cooperation and exchange of homeopathic information are requested.

FRANCE
Dr. Philippe Marc Servais, NVP

This has been a year of transition after the disturbance happened during the passage from one
vice-president to the next. We have had to rebuild a new climate of confidence. The effort
has consisted particularly to make the different homeopathic schools aware of the existence
and interest of the International League.

A very important problem nowadays in our country, connected to the vast movement of
harmonization in Europe, is the establishment of a mandatory "Continued Medical Training"
that takes up a lot of energy to the prejudice of pure homeopathic meetings. Another problem
is that the authorities (unaware, wittingly or not, of European Directives and of the findings
of the European Committee for Homeopathy) have just decided to create a Committee of
Study on the validity of homeopathy with the risk to be swept away towards a judgment,
without appeal, against our medical art, as the judge will analyze homeopathy through so
called scientific allopathic criteria. Concerning the teaching, the National Medical Council
tries to impose one diploma under University control.

This year, very high level international meetings have taken place in France, especially in
Paris and Toulouse. Lastly, we have created a Committee for the League in order to stimulate
the new dynamism in our country.

GEORGIA
Dr. Nikoloz Gujabidze, NVP

Further development of homeopathy in Georgia is restrained by the absence of relevant

legislature basis, as well as lack of funds to support necessary teaching programs and studies
among local homeopaths.

Georgian homeopaths urgently need to obtain information from those countries where
homeopathy has been either legalized or recognized. Any informative support from our
colleagues shall be welcomed and much appreciated.

GERMANY
Dr. Ulrich D. Fischer, Former NVP

The German Association of Homeopathic Doctors had in the spring of 1997 a total of 3,370
members.

Latest News on Homeopathy in Germany:

In the spring of 1997 a decision was made to start a cooperation project (field study) between
the IKK (one of the German Public Insurances) and the German Association of Homeopathic
Doctors. The purpose of this project is to integrate Homeopathy into the reimbursement
catalogue of Public Insurances.

Preliminary results are as follows:

1) Over 80% of the treated patients have shown significant improvement of their health
problems.
2) Under homeopathic treatment no side effects were observed
3) Already after 1 year observation - potential savings can be documented (concerning
treatment costs). Less disability for work has been observed.

Only MD's with title "Homöopathischer Arzt," meaning 3 years completed training in
homeopathic education and regular participation in COMPULSORY HOMEOPATHIC CME
are allowed to participate in that study. Final results are expected in 2 years.

STERILIZATION OF HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

The purpose of sterilizing all mother tinctures of human or animal products to avoid any risk
of pathological agents in those type of remedies was defeated. The working commission on
that subject proposed to evaluate individually any type of risk which is suspected in relation
to a certain remedy. Further investigation has to be done to define and evaluate methods and
criteria for procedures in the future.

GHANA
Dr. Prince F. Hayford, Representative

Ghana Parliament passed the Law of Alternative Medicine, which included homeopathic
medicine.

The Honourable Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Brookman Amissah, the Minister Responsible for Health,
set up Temporary Registration of all alternative medical paractitioners, throughout Ghana,
pending the Council or Board to be set up, before a permanent Registration would be made,
of sooner date. Each modality is given its own independance to develop its own professional
credence, under the Alternative Medicine Act.

It is the first time in history such an act has been given legal backing by the National
Democratic Congress Government of Ghana, under His Excellency, President J. J. Rawlings,
Republic of Ghana.

GREECE
Dr. Alexandra Delinick, Representative

The Hellenic Medical Homeopathic Society, with 125 members, has an all inclusive
homeopathic educational program, and is a solely medical society in the pursuit and
promotion of recognition for Homeopathy as a specialty. There are five clinics of
homeopathy in Greece, with high standards. The teachings are given solely to physicians.

The Alternative Nobel Prize Livelihood Award was given to G.Vithoulkas, which provided
much support for the cause of Homeopathy. The money received from this award has been
given by him to institutions and people from different countries. International meetings are
held in the summer time at the island of Alonissos.

HUNGARY
Dr. Katalin Kurti, Representative

The Hungarian Homeopathic Medical Association has 380 members. Regular courses are
given monthly, with lecturers invited from abroad. The journal SIMILE appears four times a
year. Some books have been translated and published. Numerous articles have appeared in
newspapers and magazines, as well medical journals.
The universities asked the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to examine if homeopathy is
scientifically verifiable or not. As soon as this question will be answered, the official
qualification of Homeopathic Doctor can be launched in Hungary.
A law appeared about alternative methods in medicine including the regulation of
homeopathy. It determined that homeopathy is a medical method.
The X LMHI Congress was held in Budapest in 1935, and the 55th LMHI Congress will be
held in Budapest in the year 2000.
There are promising connections with several health insurance companies.

INDIA
Dr. Diwan H. Chand, NVP

Homeopathy is recognized by the Government as one of the national systems of medicine. In

1995, a separate Directorate for Homeopathy was established within the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare. The Central Council of Homeopathy was established in 1973 to oversee
the standards for homeopathic education and practice. There are 132 Colleges in the country
imparting homeopathic education. Sufficient funds are actually available for the Liga Book
Project. Homeopathy continues to grow more popular in India every day, with the opening of
new dispensaries, numerous meetings and seminars and increasing numbers of homeopathic
physicians and patients treated through homeopathy. Steps should be taken for creating
separate Liga chapters for Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, as has been done for Pakistan.

ISRAEL
No report received.

ITALY
Dr. Carlo Cenerelli, Representative

The patients number in Italy is gradually increasing. Recently, we had the "Di Bella affair"
(an alternative way of treating cancer and some other severe diseases such as multiple
sclerosis, severe psoriasis, etc.) where the cure is not standardized, but is chosen according to
the symptoms and the patient's constitution. The Di Bella fight is useful to homeopaths
because it involves the fight to obtain the freedom of treatment, which we are seeking.

There is interest toward homeopathy. Nevertheless, it is more concerned with the economic
side which favors homeopathy in which many remedies are prescribed over homeopathy in
which few remedies are used. While we respect this opinion, we would like to have orthodox
homeopathy respected. For instance, some weeks ago all the 35K dilutions have been
forbidden. And more, even if we always ask, as LMHI, to attend the meetings where
homeopathic matters are discussed, we are regularly forgotten and accepted only after strong
remonstrances.

In the last days, the Rome Medical Association constituted a "permanent Forum on
Complementary Medicines". Dr. Pietro Federico has obtained to be part of it.

Thanks to some LMHI Members, the Tuscan Region is working in favor of homeopathy.

In a few universities homeopathy is taught, but only by private bodies who booked the place
for the meeting. It is not an official course.

Nevertheless, a Tuscan Faculty of Medicine and Surgery has, since one year, a course of
teaching of Complementary Medicines. The Faculty director asked me to produce the
documentation and protocols of teaching in the Countries where Homeopathy is officially
taught.

It is impossible to give a number of pharmacies, but an homeopathic remedy may be found

quite everywhere in Italy. Most remedies come from abroad even if there are some Italian
laboratories producing good remedies.

The actual number of regular Italian Liga members with their fees is 117. Currently, not
everybody has paid the 1998 fee, which is usually paid by the end of the current year.

LATVIA
Dr. Marina Afanasieva, NVP

In spite of the fact that homeopathy was practiced in Latvia by some doctors for scores of
years, Latvian medical circles on the whole for the present are closed still to the idea of
homeopathy. Its development is stalled now and by political instability in the country that 9
years ago was separated from the former Soviet Union and until now not admitted big part of
inhabitants to citizenship. That is one of the main reasons why the problem of survival is now
the actuality both for population and for homeopathy.

On 22 February 1995 Latvian homeopaths united in the Latvian Homeopathic Association

(LHA) that is the substructure of Latvian Medical Association. The latter granted LHA the
right to certify medical doctors in homeopathy as an additional specialty if they already have
certification by a basic medical specialty. Members of LHA meet for exchange of working
information monthly.

In 1991, the organization that preceded the LHA created the school of primary homeopathic
training with a course lasting for 3 months. Sixty-nine homeopaths have been certified
already for the period until the year 2000. Every 5 years doctors have to confirm the
certificate by passing an exam. Unfortunately, this program of primary homeopathic
education does not follow the principles of classical homeopathy, which are kept only by a
few doctors who received their training in the International Academy of Classical
Homeopathy of G. Vithoulkas.

Until now no one homeopathic book has been translated into Latvian and in the near future
financial state support for this purpose is not anticipated.

There are no staff rates for doctors-homeopaths in state medical institution (hospitals,
policlinics). So homeopaths in Latvia are mostly private practice doctors working in private
medical centers on full self-repayment. Homeopathic method of therapy in state clinics is
used rarely, as a rule it is combined with allopathic treatment that is the only form of
medicine legalized in Latvia.

This year LHA has applied for membership in the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica
Internationalis. With this event we connect a hope to attract more public and state attention to
homeopathy as a curative method and to ask the Latvian Medical Association to change the
status of homeopathy in the classification of medical doctor specialties from subspecialty to a
basic one. Undoubtedly, the latter will draw more doctors to the study of homeopathy for the
sake of future health of our young Baltic country, Latvia.

MALAYSIA
Dr. Azizan Ismail, Representative

The practice of homeopathy is legally permitted. Most clinics are operated by lay
practitioners. Understanding the contribution of traditional and alternative medicines
(homeopathy included) toward health care in Malaysia, the Health Ministry and its various
authorities and agencies are studying ways in which traditional and alternative medicines
may be incorporated best into mainstream health care. Realizing the role homeopathy will
play in the future, HOMEOFARMA, an homeopathic pharmaceutical facility with GMP
status on a 10-acre site at Jitra, has been established.

MEXICO
Dr. Rene Torres Garcia, NVP

There are seven homeopathic schools that educate physicians in homeopathy in Mexico since
its officialization in 1895. The Consejo Consultivo Nacional Medico Homeopatico is a
representative committee working to develop Homeopathy. Four journals are published
regularly. Five laboratories manufacture the remedies.
The first edition of the national pharmacopoeia has published this year. Several books on
homeopathy have been published this year.

NETHERLANDS
Dr. Frans Kusse, NVP
At this moment the practice of homeopathy by medical doctors is not recognized as an
official speciality, although all insurance companies pay a portion of our bills. But there is
hope in the near future. There is a new law concerning the professions in healthcare. By this
law each profession has to clearly define its skill.

The Dutch Association of Homeopathic Medical Doctors (VHAN) is the only organization in
Holland for homeopathic doctors. We have more than 400 members now and all the
registered members fulfill the European standards of education and continuing schooling, in
homeopathy as well as in conventional medicine. So, we expect that soon all our members
will be recognized by the government under this law as homeopathic medical doctors.

PAKISTAN
Dr. Khalid Masood Qureshi, NVP

Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis came into being in Pakistan only a couple of
years ago. During this short span as many as 37 members have been enrolled. More than
eleven applications for membership are pending for scrutiny and examination. Frantic efforts
are being made to enlarge the LIGA membership.

Prof. Dr. Diwan Harish Chand, LMHI President of Honour, was on a visit to Lahore in the
last week of December 1997 to attend the International Scientific Symposium at King
Edward Medical College. This provided us an opportunity to invite him to deliver the Dr.
Muhammad Masood Memorial Lecture, the topic of his lecture was "Polypharmacy vs
Homeopathy." His lecture was attended by eminent homeopaths and the elite of the town, as
well as students of the Pakistan Homeopathic Medical College, Lahore.

ROMANIA
Dr. Carmen Sturza, NVP

A minute of silence for Dr Prakash Vakhil, from India, who has recently died, is requested.
Since the 1993 LMHI Congress in Vienna, Romania has re-entered into the LMHI.
Homeopathy is legal and practiced by medical doctors only, by the order of the Minister of
Health, July 18, 1981. There are the Romanian Society for Homeopathy and 4 other small
associations. There are monthly meetings of the members, international seminars, and drug
provings. Four homeopathic manufacturers exist. The 3 year program, established in 1981
(updated with the requisites of the ECH) by the Postgraduate Center of Continuous Training
of the Ministry of Health, delivers the Diploma which allows one to practice homeopathy.
The 13th National Congress of Homeopathy was held in Bucharest in October 1997. LMHI-
Romania offers homeopathic medical assistance to several non-governmental organizations.

RUSSIA
Dr. Nikolay Zamarenov, NVP
Dr. Yrina Bauriakova, Assistant NVP

Homeopathy in Russia has developed greatly during the last two years. The Ministry of
Healthcare organized the second All-Russian session of representatives of the Medical
Departments of Administration of Russian Federation Regions with the participation of
representatives of homeopathic associations, societies and doctors of homeopathy in January
1998. This session was devoted to the question of the legalization of the medical specialty
"Doctor of Homeopathy". The necessity of introducing this speciality in the nearest future
was confirmed by all participants.

A big help for homeopaths was made by the Government Scientific - Organized
Homeopathic Center and the Coordination Council for Homeopathy of Ministry of
Healthcare.

The Russian Homeopathic Association held its own Annual 7th Homeopathic Congress in
May 1997.

The Russian Homeopathic Society conducted its own 2nd Homeopathic Congress with
Boiron in January 1997.

The Moscow Homeopathic Association organized its own Homeopathic Congress devoted to
the 850 year Anniversary of the city of Moscow in September 1997.

In some regions of Russia, local homeopathic conferences were held in 1997, such as:
Krasnodar, Orengburg, Inrutsk, Samara, St. Petersurg, Stavropol, Saratov, etc.

The Federal Program of scientific research in homeopathy in Russia until the year 2000 was
elaborated by leading Homeopathic organizations with the Government's Medical Institutions
and Centers. It was adopted by the Ministry of Healthcare in December 1997 owing to the
big efforts of the Coordination Council for Homeopathy.

SAUDI ARABIA
No report received.

SLOVAKIA
Dr. Darina Stúrová, Representative

The Slovak Republic has 5.5 million inhabitants. There are 16,000 physicians currently and
40% of them work in private practice. We have no healers officially. In the former
Czechoslovakia, homeopathy was persecuted.

After the change of the political system in 1989, homeopathy was gradually accepted thanks
to the activities of our Slovak Homeopathic Society, which was founded in January 1991. We
have started with first homeopathic courses for medical doctors and pharmacists from 1991.
Also we have started to inform the general public of Slovakia about homeopathy as a
complementary therapeutic method and we have attempted to make it accessible all over
Slovakia.
We have continued in the process of legalizing the practice of homeopathy and process of
registration and distribution of homeopathic remedies. During the last year 1997, S.H.S.
introduced to the Slovak Ministry of Health the third version of "Proposal for Methodic
Instruction about Homeopathic Treatment." This has not been accepted yet and, therefore, the
approbation of our concept has not been granted up to now ("Methodic Instructions"
document is necessary if a new method of treatment is to be accepted and allowed by the
Ministry of Health).

Similarily, the SHS has not been successful in the attempt to be accepted into the Slovak
Medical Association (this is the only Slovak association for doctors and pharmacists and it
covers all accepted medical specializations and methods of treatment).

During the years of 1992-1996, members of SHS had managed to establish a "Centre for
Homeopathy" at the only Institute for Post-Graduate Education for Doctors and Pharmacists
in Slovakia, in Bratislava. Because of the great resistance coming from the mainstream
medical academics toward homeopathy in the last two years, the Centre for Homeopathy was
abolished in December, 1996.

A majority of professors at our three Medical Faculties have insisted that homeopathy cannot
be explained according to the scientific principles. According to the regulation of Ministry of
Health from 1991, the homeopathic remedies must be approved by the State Institute for
Drug Control in Bratislava and their distribution is allowed exclusively by chemists.

In the last two years, many of our colleagues were persecuted by their superiors and they
could not practice homeopathy in their state offices and departments. A few were discharged
from work or transferred to different departments. The officials claimed that homeopathy is
not a scientific method, the homeopathic remedy is only a placebo and, therefore, practicing
homeopathy is a neglect of treatment. Officially, this struggle was finished in Slovak
Parliament in April 1998. We have achieved a new "Act of Remedies and Therapeutical
Means" now. There is a definition of homeopathic remedy, which is defined according to the
regulations of the European Union.

Our official health insurances do not cover homeopathy and homeopathic medicines, but a
few of them were interested in this. Unfortunately, there is a lack of "Methodic Instruction"
as a basic assumption for such coverage.

Our SHS has 540 members now (500 doctors and 40 pharmacists). During the 1997 company
Boiron has initiated the foundation another society with the name "Slovak Homeopathic
Chambre." They have about 60 members now. All members of the SHS have a minimum 100
hours basic lectures on homeopathy (CEDH), about 350 members have also 150 hours basic
education of Vienna school, in last years with the local lecturers. About 55 members have
finished 400 hours of a teaching program of English lecturers from London College of
Classical Homeopathy. About 70 members have finished a 400 hours course by teachers
from Boenninghausen Circle of Groningen and some Indian teachers, the so called "Dutch-
Indian School on Classical Homeopathy." About 120 members have passed our
"Repertorization course" of 25 hours. During the last two years we have organized eight 20
hour weekend seminars with lecturers from abroad (mainly from India, the Netherlands and
Austria).

We have no national homeopathic pharmacies and no national homeopathic journals. We

have ready access to Czech language books and the SHS is active in distribution of the Czech
edition of the Homeopathic Links and books from Alternativa Publishing in Prague, with a
serious classical homeopathic library programme (Hahnemann, Kent, Boericke, Allen,
Pulford . . .) for all our members. In Slovak translation we have Scholten's The Minerals and
R. Sankaran's The Spirit of Homeopathy.

SLOVENIA
Ivan Krevel, NVP
Irena Goriek, Assistant NVP

As a young independent country, we are delighted to have become a part of the world
homeopathic community as members of the LMHI!

The Slovenian Homeopathic Society (SHS) came into existence in 1992, when our president
Dr. Maruka Zavrki wrote to all doctors in Slovenia inviting them to the first seminar. Since
then 3-4 weekend seminars yearly have been organized by the SHS with visiting lecturers
from Austria and Germany, educating doctors and pharmacists according to the ECH and
LMHI guidelines. We have also held free public lectures at the University Clinical Centre in
Ljubljana (until we ceased to be welcome in 1997) once monthly, excellently executed by
our Austrian colleagues. It should be emphasized that our Austrian friends have helped us a
great deal in our activities. At present we have about 50 members.

The medical authorities have not looked favorably on our existence and have mostly ignored
us until last year, when they acted in a hostile manner by revoking the medical license of a
homeopathic doctor (This move was a precedent - no doctor until then had ever had his
license to practice medicine revoked!). This stirred a lot of controversy in the media (the
whole case was widely publicized) and has ironically helped homeopathy here by informing
the general public of the existence of this effective medical system.

In the past year, the SHS has been fortunate to have also become a member of the ECH. Dr.
Ton Nicolai, ECH Secretary and Political Coordinator has helped us a great deal by sending a
very comprehensive letter with enclosures to the political and medical opinion makers.
Results of this action are already to be seen in a slightly more lenient view (unofficially for
the time being) of the Ethical Commission at the Ministry of Health; this Commission still
backs the view that doctors practicing complementary therapies or therapies which are not
part of the doctrine of allopathic medicine, should return their medical licenses. Homeopathic
medicines are still not officially regulated by the legislation and are not available in
pharmacies.

Public relations work is being intensified. We firmly believe that negotiations with the EU
towards Slovenia becoming a full member, will speed up the acquisition of European
democratic and medical standards.

SOUTH AFRICA
No report received.

SPAIN
Dr. Manel Mateu, Assistant NVP

There are 279 LMHI members and 9 associations and four homeopathic manufacturers. At
four universities (Valladolid, Sevilla, Murcia and Barcelona), there is a postgraduate course
in homeopathy. The Hospital del Nen Deu in Barcelona has an homeopathic out-patient
service.There are three periodical magazines.

As for the legal status, the law of medicament (1990) included homeopathic remedies. The
Spanish Medical Council supports homeopathy, provided it is practiced by medical doctors
only. The "Sociedad Española de Medicina Homeopatica" was founded in July 1996. The 3rd
Award "Dr. Peiro Rando" at the Academia Medico Homeopatica de Barcelona was bestowed
in April 1998.

SWEDEN
Dr. Per Camitz, NVP

"Läkemedelsverket" the Medical Products Agency of Sweden released the first 230
homeopathic remedies in June, that comply with the new European regulations. As a result of
these new registrations, Homeopathic Doctors in Sweden are now allowed to use
Homeopathic remedies, beginning from D4 potency. So far only one company in Sweden,
Radiotron Pharmaceuticals, has fully complied with GMP standards of manufacturing and
documentation of each product. Other manufacturers of Homeopathic remedies that have not
reached this level are still working under exemption from the central government authorities,
but will inevitably have fewer and fewer products to offer as the registration procedure is
moving on more rapidly.

In the field of training, we are now working together with the European Committee for
Homeopathy, ECH, in order to establish a level that will be the same as all over Europe and
in the Common Market.

Recently more than 30 homeopaths and students attended a training course in Greece. The
seminars were led by the distinguished George Vithoulkas who in 1997 received the Right
Livelihood Award which is considered to be a form of alternative Nobel Prize.

There is still a lot of hard work ahead of us but we have a very positive feeling about the
future of homeopathy in Sweden.

SWITZERLAND
Dr. Clemens Dietrich, NVP

There are 266 LMHI members. The Swiss Association for Homeopathic Physicians (SVHÄ)
was founded in 1856 and is the main organ which deals with political issues in Switzerland.
There are 10 associations related with homeopathy.
By 1999, homeopathic physicians can be reimbursed fully (anamnesis and repertorization on
time-based scale) by federal basic health insurance. Patients treated by NMQPs need an
additional insurance for this. This is the decision of the national health authority, a clear
statement of acknowledgement for homeopathy. Remedies prescribed by physicians are paid
already by the official tariff.
By 1999, compulsory Continuing Medical Education (CCME) will be established. Fifty
hours of Homeopathy and 30 hours of conventional medicine will be required every year.
The recertification for the diploma of the SVHÄ will be newly structured in May 1998.

UKRAINE
Prof. Natalija E. Kostinskaya, NVP

Third Hahnemann Readings, attended by more than 100 homeopaths and medical students
from eight Ukrainian cities, took place in Kiev on the 27th of June, 1998.

The first graduates of Kiev Medical Institute of Ukrainian Alternative Medicine Association
received the university degrees recently. Homeopathy is an obligatory subject at this
Institute. The first training course for medical doctors has been conducted at the Homeopathy
Faculty of the Institute Protos.

Scientific homeopathic conferences are planned in some Ukrainian cities (Jalta, Odessa).
Moreover, the 1st National Congress of LMHI branch in Ukraine is planned for January.
Scientific studies of homeopathic remedies' efficacy are continued. Preliminary results of
these studies were presented at the medical conferences on allergy and cardiology.

UNITED KINGDOM
Dr. Peter Fisher, NVP

The British Homoeopathic Society was founded in 1843, it changed its name to the Faculty
of Homoeopathy in 1943, and was recognised by Act of Parliament in 1950. The current total
number of Fellows, Members and Associates of the Faculty is 1086, of which 922 are in the
United Kingdom, the remainder throughout the world.

Main Officers of the Faculty of Homoeopathy 1996/7

President                   Dr David Owen

Dean                           Dr Barry Rose
Chief Executive         Mrs Elizabeth Wincott

Education and Diplomas

The Faculty currently accredits four courses: at the Royal London, Glasgow and Bristol
Homoeopathic Hospitals and Oxford (Homoeopathic Physicians Teaching Group). Most
courses are modular, with 3 to 5 day courses 3 or 4 times per year. The Royal London
Homoeopathic Hospital also offers a full time course.

The Faculty awards diplomas at three levels:

Primary Health Care Certificate (PHCC)

Open to all health professionals, including doctors, veterinarians, dentists, nurses,
pharmacists, midwives etc.

Membership of the Faculty of Homoeopathy (MFHom)

A specialist qualification for doctors and veterinarians awarded on the basis of an
examination. In the past year the MFHom exam has been held outside the UK for the first
time: in Barcelona, Spain, in association with the Academia Medica Homeopatica de
Barcelona, and in Hyderabad, India.

Fellowship of the Faculty of Homoeopathy

This is the Faculty’s highest diploma awarded either for a dissertation or by election on the
basis of merit.

Publications
British Homoeopathic Journal International circulation 1400. Editor Dr Peter Fisher. A high
level international, peer-reviewed journal.

Simile
Editor Dr Christina Scott-Moncrieff. A newsletter, accompanying the Journal.

Health and Homoeopathy Circulation 3500. Editor-in-chief Maragaret Cooper. A glossy

magazine for the general public.

Hospitals
The United Kingdom is the only country in the European Union to have dedicated public
sector homoeopathic hospitals. There are five such hospitals: the Royal London, Glasgow,
Tunbridge Wells, and Bristol Homoeopathic Hospitals and the Liverpool Department of
Homoeopathic Medicine.Treatment is given under the normal conditions of the British
National Health Service, consultation, investigation and hospitalisation is free of charge to
the patient.

Specialist recognition
Training of medical specialists in the United Kingdom is being reformed. The new legislation
is a threat, but also offers the possibility for homoeopathy to be recognised as a specialty
throughout the European Union, on the basis of the Faculty’s diplomas. This is an important
opportunity for homoeopaths throughout Europe.
USA
Dr. Edward Chapman, NVP

The LIGA activity is represented in the United States by the American Institute of
Homeopathy which currently has about 110 members from 28 states. Members of the AIH
have figured prominently in homeopathic activity in the USA and internationally. The AIH
president Sandra M. Chase, MD, DHt is the Immediate Past President of the LIGA; Wayne
Jonas, MD, DHt is Director of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of
Health and co-authored a meta analysis of homeopathic clinical trials (1); David Riley, MD,
DHt is the director of the International Integrative Primary Care Outcomes Study and
medical editor of Alternative Therapies, the first peer-reviewed journal in the USA focusing
on alternative and complementary medicine; Jennifer Jacobs,MD; Dean Crothers,MD, and
Edward Chapman, MD, DHt, authored a study of the practice patterns members of the AIH
to be published in the Archives of Family Medicine in 1998. Brian Berman, MD published a
survey of physician interest in homeopathy (2). An NIH sponsored survey of patients seeking
homeopathic care in the Los Angeles area was published (3).

The effect of this activity has been a blossoming on interest in homeopathy reflected in the
creation of new educational initiatives for primary care physicians in Boston, Phoenix, Ohio,
and Seattle; and a cooperative venture, The Homeopathic Primary Care Certification exam.
between the American Board of Homeotherapeutics and the Academic Faculty of the
Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital. The Council for Homeopathic Certification has revitalized
it efforts as the accrediting agency for homeopathic educational programs. The AIHUs sister
organizations the National Center for Homeopathy, The International Foundation for
Homeopathy, and the Homeopathic Association of Naturopathic Physicians have continued
enlarging and refining the scope of their educational and advocacy activities. State
homeopathic medical societies in Ohio, California, and Arizona, and regional homeopathic
societies the Southern and New England states have been active promoting homeopathy on
local levels. The pharmaceutical industry continues robust growth in sales and an improved
relationship with the Food and Drug Administration.

1. Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, et.al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo
effects? A meta-analysis of placebo controlled trials. Lancet 1997;350:834-843.

2. Berman B, et.al. Homeopathy and the US primary care physician. British

Homeopathic Journal, 7/97, 86:131-138.