Putrajaya Hospital Medical Consultant and Nephrologist, Dr Rafidah Abdullah has taken to her Twitter to criticise local artist Mawi for endorsing a health juice that supposedly can help patients suffering from kidney problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure and cholesterol.
In addition, she also openly questioned the artist for promoting such products to patients with chronic conditions.
According to Dr Rafidah, she claimed that Mawi has “lie to patients with chronic illnesses” as the “juice” is in contravention of the Medicines (Advertisement & Sale) Act 1956.
Salam Mawi,
— Rafidah Abdullah (@rafidah72) May 4, 2022
Kenapa perlu menipu pesakit2 kronik saya?
Perbuatan ini sudah salah dari segi akta Iklan dan Ubat 1956.
Tak payah nak cerita tentang kenyataan yg menipu dan menunggang agama! pic.twitter.com/HeYpaxKKuF
She then urges Mawi to not ride on religious sentiment and to disseminate false claims to promote the product.
Meanwhile, she also criticised celebrities for endorsing questionable products and urge them to study the guidelines on promoting supplements that were issued by the Ministry of Health.
“Stop lying to the elderlies. Enough is enough,” the doctor said.
Adakah semua artis / selebriti tidak beretika? Kan ada panduan utk selebriti yg KKM keluarkan. Sila lah baca betul2.
— Rafidah Abdullah (@rafidah72) May 4, 2022
Cukup2 menipu orang2 tua.
Enough is enough. pic.twitter.com/Fl1C5paWlr
Netizens supported Dr Rafidah and many pointed out that there are plenty of products that claimed to be beneficial for patients with severe illnesses out in the market.
One netizen even share how her family member’s health deteriorate after depending on the drinks to cure their illnesses.
“My father was afraid of going to the hospital and he depended on this juice. He has now left us,” she commented.
Nenek sy pun pernah minum jus ni. Kononnya elok utk buah pinggang. Now dah sakit buah pinggang tahap 4 😣
— 🇲🇾 farhana sabri (@hanaerain) May 5, 2022
Meanwhile, many do agree that there is a lack of evidence that the juice is beneficial for patients with chronic illnesses.
Previously, Mawi uploaded a video as he explains the benefits of consuming the drinks that he said can help treat kidney problems, among other things.
He then claimed that his relative’s health improved after starting to consume the drinks.
In the event of doubt, you should visit the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency at www.npra.gov.my before consuming any supplements or medications.
