A new survey of the population of Campania in South-West Italy shows that nearly 800,000 residents use homeopathic medicines.

71% of respondents had heard about homeopathy and 18% used it at least once a year. On average, respondents had been using homeopathy for more than five years. One fifth have used it for over a decade.

The survey was carried out by EMG Acqua in July, on behalf of Omeoimprese, the association representing companies in Italy that produce and distribute homeopathic medicines. It confirms that  users of homeopathy generally have a higher level of education than the average population and are more likely to be in employment. 39% of those who know about it learnt about it from friends or relatives. Only 9% learnt about homeopathy from their doctor and 8% from their pharmacist.

The survey also addressed the need for political support for these products – 56% of all respondents and 90% of users thought it was very or quite important for politicians to pay attention to homeopathic medicines. Giovanni Gorga, President of Omeoimprese, concludes: “This survey sends an unequivocal message to candidates: let us not neglect the sector in electoral programmes and in future regional health policies.”

source: ECHAMP