Warning over rise of bogus health ‘cures’ in France

An alert has been raised over the steep rise in pseudo-therapies in France in recent years, as outlined by the government watchdog responsible for monitoring sects. 

Miviludes, founded in 2002 and attached to France’s Interior Ministry, is responsible for assessing the appropriate government response to cults or sects and warning the public of the risks – and says health misinformation has been increasing since the Covid pandemic. 

Read more: QR code to replace paper instructions for 100 medicines in France in new trial

Between 2015 and 2024, the annual number of reports made to the agency more than doubled from 2,160 to 4,571, according to its latest report, released on April 8. Many concerned pseudo-therapists targeting sick people – including some with cancer – whose desperate need for help made them particularly vulnerable. 

Some 45 cases were referred to the public prosecutor in the past year alone, compared to 20 in 2021, when the last Miviludes report was published. These often concerned “advice” or “care” given to patients by “pseudo-therapists” who “do not have a state-recognised diploma”. 

An increase in 'wellbeing' sects

The report highlights the increase in “wellbeing” sects, which accounted for 37% of reports and requests for information, ahead of spirituality (35%) and coaching (13%). 

“Once confined to the religious and spiritual spheres, cult-like tendencies now concern broader areas of our daily lives: health, wellbeing, training and coaching,” said minister François-Noël Buffet in his introduction to the report. 

He said “collective vigilance” must be “heightened” in the health sector, where there had been a rise in alternative therapies due to the “high vulnerability” of people suffering from physical or mental illnesses. 

Covid-19

Covid and the subsequent lockdowns had contributed to “worsening” the situation by fostering conspiracy theories, while the increased use of social media had given sects a “broader scope for expression and action”, he said. 

The increase could have a serious impact on minors, the report warns, whether because of the beliefs of parents or because they have been indoctrinated via social media. 

The report says many health and wellbeing practices that are often seen as “gentle” or “complimentary” to health “have not been scientifically approved”. 

It also warns against pseudo-therapists, who often encourage patients “to neglect their real treatment”. This can lead to a “significant deterioration in their physical and mental health, or even to a deprivation of care”. 

Alternative treatments for serious illness

It says the influence of some pseudo-therapists is sometimes so strong that “it resembles a form of control”. 

Miviludes warns against alternative treatments for cancer, specifically calling out urine therapy, in which patients are encouraged to drink their own urine.

It plans to work with the League against Cancer to improve the support offered to patients to avoid possible abuses. 

In 2022, medical appointment booking platform Doctolib came under fire for listing naturopaths. In response, it chose to restrict services to registered healthcare professionals. 

Another issue of concern for Miviludes is the promotion of fasting as a cure for various illnesses. The report warns against “particularly expensive” fasting programmes, including those that promote hiking and fasting. 

Other areas highlighted by the report include some evangelical Christian churches, which are accused of targeting vulnerable people; life coaches, who promise a range of benefits in the corporate world but are largely unregulated; and gurus who tout ways to increase longevity.