Walmart Pitches Woo

-Submitted by David Durmm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Woo, a term used by scientific skeptics for pseudoscience, alternative medicine and New Age beliefs, or a person who holds such beliefs.

Walmart, through their website, is selling Oscillococcinum, manufactured by Boiron, to be used “for flu-like symptoms.” Their image of the package shows that the product “Reduces [the] Duration and Severity of Flu Symptoms,” including “Fever, Chills, Body Aches and Pains.”

It does no such thing.

According to a report from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center:

There was no evidence that homoeopathic [sic] treatment can prevent influenza-like syndrome …

In a study from the University of Exeter:

Similarly, there was no homeopathic remedy that was demonstrated to yield clinical effects that are convincingly different from placebo.

You might as well buy a dispenser of Tic Tacs, it’s cheaper, too.

Does Walmart not have a shred of ethical obligation? Does Walmart have to exploit the ignorant? The product is also available from Target.

The stupid and their money are soon parted.

H/T: CFI.