Dr Gorania's "homeophatic" clinic (part 3)

Veja Gorania - the dodgy doctor who inspired my letter-writing career - has substantially re-worked his website in an attempt to comply with the various regulations.

(Image credit)

Alas, he's not quite there yet. The site still contains a dozen or so misleading health claims.

ASA complaint follows!

"The website makes a number of health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/ )

"We are committed to customer satisfaction as the primary driver of our business, to only prescribe therapies after a complete diagnosis with a qualified homeopathic doctor."

As I have mentioned in previous complaints about this advertiser, Veja Gorania does not hold any medical qualifications. I'd like to challenge whether the words "prescribe", "diagnosis", "qualified" and "doctor" in this sentence are likely to be misleading for ordinary consumers.

2. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/homeopathy.html )

"As long as the 5th century BC Hippoctares, the Father of Medicine, was aware of the homeopathic approach to illness and role of nature as a healer."

I'd like to challenge whether this sentence can be possibly be known to be true, because as I recall from my history lessons, none of Hippocrates' works are extant. I'd also like to challenge whether the claim that the 'Father of Medicine' practiced some form of homeopathy is likely to be misleading.

3. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/FAQ.html )

"Each stage is known as potency and homeopathic medicines at the 6th centesimal potency are suitable for treating minor ailments."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate his claim that homeopathic medicines can be used for "treating" minor ailments.

4. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/FAQ2.html )

"Illnesses, which occurred many years previously, sometimes in childhood or even on our constitution and a skilled homeopath, may spend some time in tracing and removing these defects by the use of the correct homeopathic medicine."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate his claim that homeopaths can "[trace] and [remove]... defects" with the "correct homeopathic medicine".

5. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/FAQ3.html )

"This is why it is so important to consult a homeopathic doctor, as they will be able to advise you on how to reduce you conventional medicine in a safe way."

I challenge whether Veja Gorania, who does not hold any medical qualification, can substantiate his claim that he can "advise you on how to reduce you[r] conventional medicine in a safe way". I also challenge whether this claim is irresponsible.

6. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/vitiligo.html )

"Homeopathy medicine and Dr Gorania's method of treatment in particular, take the fundamental causes into consideration to treat the problem."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate his claim that homeopathy can "treat" vitiligo.

7. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/vitiligo.html )

"Allopathic medication does not have this precise treatment."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate his claim that homeopathy is better results in treating vitiligo than conventional medical interventions.

8. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/vitiligo.html )

"By attacking three primary causes of chronic pigment skin disorder - psora, syphilis & psychosis - homeopathy provides more promising treatment."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate his claim that homeopathy provides a "more promising treatment" for psora, syphilis, psychosis and vitiligo than conventional medical interventions.

9. ( http://www.homeopathic-clinic.com/vitiligo2.html )

"Vitiligo
Half a million people are affected with this disease. Our treatment provide hope for those who are at the receiving end of social discrimination, dejection and trauma. Our fee for four months of treatment ( including medication ) is £300 (UK pounds). See Our Results"

Based on the advertiser's previous record in using photographic evidence, I'd like to challenge whether the two "before" and "after" photos appearing on this page are genuine.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=DsLfRZHHMw
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=3pGPMHYjbW
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=UUZ8skwRTh
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=4WH6kD0LIg
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=ylQO4kJGGw

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."