Clinical Repurposing of Medicines is Intrinsic to Homeopathy: Research Initiatives on COVID-19 in India

Abstract

As at mid-October 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been continuing on the rise across the globe, including in India. Historically, homeopathy has been used in a number of epidemics/pandemics. The development of homeopathic medicines is approached uniquely through “drug provings” and clinical verification; these two intrinsic processes establish the background for the application of homeopathic medicines, regardless of nosological diagnosis. This article reflects research initiatives on COVID-19 in India and identifies studies listed in the Clinical Trial Registry–India database. We identified 29 studies being undertaken in different settings, including those in conventional medicine: 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9 observational studies. Fifteen studies are aimed at prophylaxis and 14 are aimed at treatment. Amongst the treatment studies, 11 are focused on efficacy or comparative effectiveness. The findings might provide evidence for clinically repurposing some of homeopathy's medicines, an approach that is intrinsic to the therapy, enabling their use in COVID-19 as an adjuvant or stand-alone to help reduce costs and improve patient recovery.

Comparative Effectiveness of Pre-Identified Homeopathic Medicines in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Individuals Receiving Standard Care—An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Exploratory Trial

“…Our study has been the first of its kind to explore add-on homeopathic management in asymptomatic COVID-19 undertaken during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one among the several studies registered at the Clinical Trial Registry-India. 29 The primary outcome measure in this study was the number of patients becoming RT-PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2 on every fifth day from days 0 to 15 and demonstrates marginally added benefits of the pre-identified homeopathic medicine Bry. alb.…”

Homeopathy for COVID-19 Prevention: Report of an Intervention at a Brazilian Service Sector Company

“…During the write-up of the current report, however, we noted commentary about Arsenicum album , suggesting some importance of this homeopathic medicine in prophylaxis and/or treatment, even in cases with co-morbidities. 30 31 To the best of our knowledge, several studies, including randomized controlled trials, are still under way 31 – though none of them seemingly in the occupational setting. Therefore, there are no effectiveness data available for the purposes of comparison.…”

Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Health care system to combat COVID 19- A Validation

“…42,43 Catalonia, Spain reported positive outcomes of homoeopathic treatment in mild and moderate cases of COVID 19 44 . Various studies are being undertaken in different settings in India, a few aimed at prophylaxis and others aimed at treatment the outcomes of which might provide evidence for clinically repurposing homeopathy's medicines in COVID-19 as an adjuvant or stand-alone 45 Homoeopathic medicines cause immune modulating changes through various mechanisms and thus are suggestive of being useful in boosting the immunological responses in various conditions 46 so possibly will prove as an excellent alternative in COVID 19 treatment.…”