CFI sent letters to Shoppers in January and March 2012, calling for the pharmacy giant to stop stocking products like Oscillo that make false and misleading claims about their contents and effectiveness.
TORONTO, ONTARIO (Marketwire – April 11, 2012) – The Centre for Inquiry (CFI) Canada is lending critical scientific support in a $30 million lawsuit against Shoppers Drug Mart and Boiron Canada.
The suit alleges sales of Oscillococcinum, a homeopathic product marketed for flu-like symptoms, violate consumer protection laws.
“Oscillococcinum is overpriced sugar,” said Iain Martel, Chair of CFI’s Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism. “The extreme dilutions used to make it ensure there is not a single molecule left of its supposed medicinal ingredient.”
More details about the lawsuit
In March 2012 REO launched a proposed class action against Boiron Canada relating to the marketing of Oscillicoccinum and Oscillicoccinum Children. According to Boiron, Oscillicoccinum is effective in relieving flu symptoms. The Statement of Claim alleges that, among other things, Boiron breached several consumer protection statues in its marketing of Oscillicoccinum as the product contains virtually none of its purported active ingredient namely Anas Barbarie Hepatis et Cordis extractum (namely the extract of the liver and heart of the Barbary Duck). As a result of those alleged breaches the proposed class members have vastly overpaid for what is in essence a sugar pill. The allegations in the Statement of Claim have yet to be proven in Court.
More news about this case:
Skeptic North: Class Action Lawsuit Filed against Homeopathy Manufacturer Boiron and Shoppers Drug Mart
St John’s Telegram: Will lawsuits spell the end of homeopathy?
YouTube: Think Again TV
Visit the Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism (CASS) website here.