Contrasting opinions still exist about the efficacy of Oscillococcinum®, the most famous homeopathic remedy from Boiron Laboratoires, Lyon (F), which is commonly used for flu, season colds and airway inflammatory affections. This popular homeopathic medicine is scarcely supported by clinical and pharmacological evidence and, therefore, further investigations are needed to assess its supposed efficacy in flu. While a cutting Editorial from Weissman in 2006, sought to make fun of this homeopathic medicine for the flu, because it is made from the liver and heart of a duck , the immediate following comment by D. Ullman on the issue and the contrasting opinion by Prof. C. Boiron in this journal , did not contribute to achieve a clear overview about this topic, quite the contrary. Honestly, the ongoing encouraging sale of Oscillococcinum® could not care less both of the many criticisms in evidence based medicine (EBM) and people confidence. People appear to trust homeopathy as an effective approach by hearsay: this elicits a positive attitude that may also promote a placebo response. However, even those medicines from homeopathy, used as placebo by physicians, may bear potential damage to patients : this obviously raises a bioethical concern.
