Both agencies had an open comment period, in which the SfSBM submitted rather strong recommendations. Both agencies have the authority to increase their regulation if they choose. It seems to me that this is purely a matter of political will.

Since the comment periods have closed we have been waiting anxiously for both agencies to announce their decisions. This could be, in the best-case scenario, a death blow to the OTC homeopathy industry.

Yesterday the FTC released their decision. Here is the key part:

The policy statement explains that the FTC will hold efficacy and safety claims for OTC homeopathic drugs to the same standard as other products making similar claims. That is, companies must have competent and reliable scientific evidence for health-related claims, including claims that a product can treat specific conditions. The statement describes the type of scientific evidence that the Commission requires of companies making such claims for their products.

That was all they had to do, and all we were asking for. Hold homeopathic products to the same requirement for evidence to back any clinical claims that they make. In essence, all we wanted was for them to do their job. The FTC now seems willing to do just that.