Popular science influencer and clinician-scientist Cyriac Abby Philips, aka 'The Liver Doc' recently took to X to debunk the latest pseudoscientific claim by actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
In an Instagram post, the actor had advised her followers to inhale hydrogen peroxide to treat respiratory viral infections.
Studies have shown that exposure to hydrogen peroxide can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other health hazards.
The Liver Doc posted a warning by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asking people not to nebulize and breathe in hydrogen peroxide as it is hazardous.
Criticising her in strong words for propagating pseudoscience, he called her "a health and science illiterate," and said the actor could face legal trouble in a a rational and scientifically progressive society.
"Will India's Health Ministry or any health regulatory body do something about these social media health influenzas damaging public health or will they remain spineless and let people die," he asked.
Left: Influential Indian actress Ms. Samantha Ruth who is unfortunately a health and science illiterate advising millions of her followers to inhale hydrogen-peroxide to prevent and treat respiratory viral infections.
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 4, 2024
Right: Scientific society, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation… pic.twitter.com/Ihn2xocKUt
However, Samantha Ruth Prabhu appeared unwilling to see reason and claimed that she is being unfairly targetted because she was a celebrity.
In a long social media post, the actor claimed that "a certain gentleman" attacked her post and her intentions "in rather strong words."
Acknowledging that the doctor definitely more than her, she wrote"...I am quite sure his intentions were noble. It would have been kind and compassionate of him had he not been so provocative with his words."
"I suppose it goes with the territory of being a celebrity," she wrote.
In his reponse, The Liver Doc pointed out that the actor has been a serial offender, who has been endorsing unscientific, pseudoscientific and baseless alternative medicine therapies.
He explained that people like him take time out to "fight misinformation online because it is peddled by large influential "celebrity" accounts that have no regard for public health."
The Liver Doc noted that while engagement and monetization are their concerns, he is worried about public health and disease prevention.
Ms. Samantha Ruth Prabhu has responded to my "provocative" criticism of her endorsement of unscientific, pseudoscientific and baseless alternative medicine therapies by playing the victim card and endorsing more alternative practices.
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 5, 2024
Please note, she is a serial offender in… https://t.co/eRvsXrGlZq pic.twitter.com/iRadZgrHTE
If celebrity influencers really want to impact people positively, then start unlearning and re-learn, develop critical thinking skills, he said.
