This actually happened:

Terra-Medica, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 56 lots of Pleo-FORT, Pleo-QUENT, Pleo-NOT, Pleo-STOLO, Pleo-NOTA-QUENT, and Pleo-EX homeopathic drug products in liquid, tablet, capsule, ointment, and suppository forms to the consumer level. FDA has determined that these products have the potential to contain penicillin or derivatives of penicillin…

That’s right. A bunch of homeopathic products, which dilute substances to the point where they’re undetectable or non-existent, were recalled because they might contain traces of a drug that actually helps people.

Can’t have that sneaking in there, can we?

(Actually, we can’t. Some people may be allergic to penicillin. Hence, the recall.)

Steven Novella explains the more serious problem here:

The recent recall of homeopathic products adulterated with actual drugs is just one demonstration that the potential harm of homeopathy comes from more than just its utter uselessness. Industrialized homeopathy contains all the risks of any modern industry, such as unintended, or perhaps intended but deceptive, practices.

(via The Morning Heresy. Image via Shutterstock)



