Celebs must stop giving medical advice

South film star Samantha Ruth Prabhu was recently caught in the eye of the storm, courtesy her recommendation of hydrogen peroxide nebulisation as an effective alternative therapy for viral infections. Things took a controversial turn after a health expert, Dr Cyriac Abby Philips aka The Liver Doc, slammed the actress on social media for endorsing a therapy that could have potentially hazardous consequences, and even said she deserved to be jailed for doing so.

Dr Philips also expressed his displeasure over Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s stance that alcohol consumption in moderation is beneficial for overall health. Kamath had recently said so on a widely-popular podcast, while sharing his views on India’s liquor industry with co-guests Abhishek Khaitan, Minakshi Singh, Shuchir Suri and Suraj Shenai.

While the Liv Doc subsequently apologised to Sam, he stood by his stand that advocating controlled drinking was akin to a ‘crime’. “Alcohol is good business, a business that leeches out others’ life. It rakes in money for governments through taxation & monopoly; and fattens the bank accounts of those behind the industry (like this round table group) and makes barons out of those who sell well,” he said on X.

History is laden with instances of celebrities with a global following doling out health advice without discretion.

Of course, public figures have a responsibility to exercise caution while offering advice in areas where they have no in-depth knowledge. But Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, a senior dermatologist and consultant at Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi, feels viewers should be as responsible, and be wary about what they consume and who they believe, as an individual’s fame doesn’t necessarily equate to accuracy in their endorsements.

“I am from a generation which grew up without Instagram, but often saw people blindly following celebrities and trying to emulate everything they’d wear and eat. Stardom is a huge social responsibility. Even if a celebrity wants to endorse something with good intent, being totally convinced of its benefits, they should always fact-check and consult an expert before sharing their views publicly. Film stars need to be aware that irrespective of what anyone says, their influence is far more impactful than that of a layman. However, people also need to be smart and take everything they see online with a pinch of salt,” she stresses.

Stardom is a huge social responsibility. Even if a celebrity wants to endorse something with good intent, being totally convinced of its benefits, they should always fact-check and consult an expert before sharing their views publicly. Film stars need to be aware that irrespective of what anyone says, their influence is far more impactful than that of a layman.” — Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, a senior dermatologist and consultant at Max Hospital Saket,

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Dr Philips first slammed actress Samantha on social media for endorsing a therapy that could have potentially hazardous consequences. He expressed his displeasure over Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s stance that alcohol consumption in moderation is beneficial for overall health.

“Alcohol is good business, a business that leeches out others’ life. It rakes in money for governments through taxation & monopoly; and fattens the bank accounts of those behind the industry (like this round table group) and makes barons out of those who sell well,” he said on X.