THE QUALITY MANUFACTURING OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES
By definition a homeopathic preparation is a medical agent, which has been manufactured according to s method of production stipulated in the relevant homeopathic pharmacopoeia. Homeopathic medicinal products originate from plants, animals, organic and inorganic substances from which a “mother tincture” is made: the most concentrated liquid form o
f a homeopathic preparation. These tinctures are then diluted and potentized in systematic way to produce more and more physically dilute solutions (potencies). When the medicines are diluted beyond twelfth centesimal or twenty-four decimal potency, no molecules remain of the original base substance. Each dilution is followed by a lively, standardized succession called “Potentization”, specific to homeopathic production and produced by means of a succession with hand-made potentizing according to Hanehmann. These highly diluted potencies have been found to act profoundly and effectively. The substances and production processes are standardized and specified in Homeopathic Pharmacopoeias. The holistic approach of homeopathy on one hand and the effectiveness and safety of homeopathic medicinal products on the other fulfill the demands of patients and consumers. Therefore, both rely on the willingness and efforts of the pharmaceutical industry as well as the national authorities to safeguard homeopathy and warrant its continued availability. Quality:
Homeopathic medicines are infinitesimally small doses, manufactured in a manner that does not render them toxic. This method of preparation is absolutely scientific and regularly subjected to stringent Quality Control measures. Potency:
In the context of homeopathic medicines, the term “potency” refers to the “quantity” as defined in the standard homeopathic pharmacopeias. The potency of homeopathic medicines is to be expressed by dilute factor expression as follows:
⦁ Attenuation and Potentization should not be confused with simple dilution
⦁ Potentization is successive and serial
⦁ Hahnemann potencies are therefore obtained through successive operations of division of the active ingredient in an excipient in proportions of 1:100 centesimal potency (C or CH) or of 1:10 decimal potency (X or D), with potentization carried out in between each division. The potency and tincture of homeopathy medicine is to be expressed by dilute factor expression as follows:
Designation Scale Method of Attenuation
⦁ Q, X or D Decimal (1/10) Hahnemannian
⦁ CH or C Centesimal (1/100) Hahnemannian
⦁ CK or K Centesimal (1/100) Korsakovian
⦁ M or MK Millesimal (1/1000) Korsakovian
⦁ LM or Q Fifty Millesimal (1/50, 000) Hahenmannian
Labeling:
Please refer to the aspects related to the labeling of homeopathic medicines. Indication for use:
The inner and outer labels will identify the medicine as one of the following:
⦁ Homeopathic preparation.
⦁ Homeopathic medicine.
