This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8488946.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Homeopathy 'overdose' demo staged Homeopathy 'overdose' demo staged
(about 2 hours later)
Campaigners gathered outside a Boots in Liverpool, staging a protest against the sale of homeopathic remedies.Campaigners gathered outside a Boots in Liverpool, staging a protest against the sale of homeopathic remedies.
The demonstration, organised by the Merseyside Skeptics Society (MSS) saw protesters take a mass "overdose" of harmless homeopathic remedies.The demonstration, organised by the Merseyside Skeptics Society (MSS) saw protesters take a mass "overdose" of harmless homeopathic remedies.
Campaigners have called on the company to withdraw all of the treatments which they say are "scientifically absurd".Campaigners have called on the company to withdraw all of the treatments which they say are "scientifically absurd".
A spokesman for Boots said it followed advice from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on complementary medicines.A spokesman for Boots said it followed advice from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on complementary medicines.
Homeopathy is a system that uses very highly diluted substances to trigger the body to heal itself. Proponents of homeopathy say it is a system which triggers the body to heal itself, with the use of very highly diluted substances.
'Nothing in them''Nothing in them'
Michael Marshall, from the MSS, said: "We believe that they shouldn't be selling sugar pills to people who are sick.Michael Marshall, from the MSS, said: "We believe that they shouldn't be selling sugar pills to people who are sick.
"Homeopathy never works any better than a placebo. The remedies are diluted so much that there is nothing in them.""Homeopathy never works any better than a placebo. The remedies are diluted so much that there is nothing in them."
Protesters also gathered outside Boots branches in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Leicester and Birmingham.Protesters also gathered outside Boots branches in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Leicester and Birmingham.
The Society of Homeopaths said treatments were "person specific" and based on taking a series of small doses, so it did not expect any reaction in the protesters unless one already had symptoms matched to their remedy.The Society of Homeopaths said treatments were "person specific" and based on taking a series of small doses, so it did not expect any reaction in the protesters unless one already had symptoms matched to their remedy.
Mr Marshall said consumers trusted Boots and it should not sell the remedies alongside mainstream medicines.Mr Marshall said consumers trusted Boots and it should not sell the remedies alongside mainstream medicines.
Paul Bennett, professional standards director at Boots, said: "Homeopathy is recognised by the NHS and many health professionals and our customers choose to use homeopathy."Paul Bennett, professional standards director at Boots, said: "Homeopathy is recognised by the NHS and many health professionals and our customers choose to use homeopathy."