Police complaint against Kamal Haasan for questioning govt-backed Nilavembu
What's the story
A police complaint has been filed against Kamal Haasan for his comments on 'Nilavembu Kudineer', an anti-dengue drug that is being pushed by the Tamil Nadu government. In a tweet, the actor had urged fans not to distribute the medicine till proper research is done. The state is distributing the 'Siddha' medicine freely among all eateries. The Ayush ministry is also promoting it.
Drug
What do critics say about the Nilavembu?
The Nilavembu is recommended in viral infections. It boosts immunity and modulates the body's defense response. According to Ayush, Nilavembu is "antipyretic, analgesic and anti-dengue activity proved". However, experts and doctors have questioned the move: high doses could be fatal, and research on rats had shown adverse effects on reproductive system, they said. Moreover, there's no study on its efficacy against dengue, they added.
Critics
Haasan is one of the many critics
Haasan tweeted, "It's not that the research should be done by allopathics. The traditionalists should also have done it. It is traditional for medicines to have side effects." DMK working President MK Stalin also sought an explanation from the health secretary. Meanwhile, TN Ravisankar, President of IMA's Tamil Nadu unit has urged the government to conduct research to verify benefits of the concoction.