| SPOTLIGHT |
A High Court judge has reserved judgment after a four-day hearing of a legal challenge to NHS England’s 2017 consultation that ended with a recommendation that GPs should not prescribe homeopathic medicines.
The challenge was launched by the British Homeopathic Association (BHA) in October 2017 and heard last week by Mr Justice Supperstone.
The BHA said its case was that the NHS’ proposal was not formulated with input from any homeopathy experts or practitioners; it was not a genuine attempt to engage the public; and did not provide the public with adequate information or access to provide a considered and informed response.
Cristal Sumner, BHA chief executive, said: “We are confident of a positive outcome. We took the difficult decision to bring this case because we had ample evidence to demonstrate NHS England failed to properly consult on its proposal to ban prescriptions for homeopathic medicine which, since being implemented, has had an adverse effect on patients’ health.”
The Association added: “Whatever the judge’s decision, the BHA through its challenge has made it clear that the NHS needs to be accountable to the public and the patients who use its services.”
