[Homeopathic drug products and outpatient clinics: are they deceiving the public?].

After more than two centuries since the inception of homeopathy, it can now be stated that active ingredients of homeopathic drug products are approaching zero. Homeopathy has never been shown to be effective, and several Cochrane reviews failed to provide evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy. In addition, according to the World Health Organization, when homeopathic medicine is used as an alternative to other effective treatments, it may cause harm resulting in increased mortality. On the basis of these considerations, it is of utmost importance that millions of Italian people taking homeopathic remedies be informed on the negative judgment by the scientific community, so that allocation of limited healthcare resources can be better redirected to increase patient access to treatments not otherwise available due to restrictions on healthcare budgets (e.g. hepatitis C medications).