The Homeopathy Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday with amendments.

The Bill was presented by Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne on June 7. The Bill replaces the Homeopathy Act of 1970.

The new Act provides for the establishment of a Homeopathic Medical Council; for the registration of Homeopathic Practitioners and Homeopathic Pharmacists; for the registration and regulation of Homeopathic Institutions; to promote, foster, and regulate the Homeopathic system of medicine and for the regulation and control of the manufacture, importation, storage, sale and distribution of homeopathic medicine, drugs and other homeopathic preparations.

The Minister moving the Bill for the debate, said the Homeopathy Act had not been amended for 45 years, adding that the new Bill addresses the loopholes of the previous legislation. He said about 150–200 patients obtain treatments at the Welisara Homeopathy hospital daily mainly for joint pains, asthma, child and women illnesses.

“Unlike western medical treatment that provides external immunisation, the Homeopathy treatment enhances natural immunisation in the body. Medicine used in Homeopathy is made of natural substances such as herbs and parts of animals. Adverse effects in them are low,” he said.

“The medicine is also comparatively cheap and easy to use. We need to encourage the promotion of the Homeopathy medical system,” he said.