"How you do science is by acting like a real scientist."
When will you start doing that? When will Malhorta?
When will the GMC act against anti-vax doctor?
Good Law Project
Sep 12, 2025 — The GMC must act decisively to stop doctors such as Malhotra from spreading misinformation which decreases public trust in vaccines and the ...
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AI Overview
Cardiologist Aseem Malhotra has been widely criticized by medical experts and fact-checkers for spreading misinformation, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines and statin drugs
. He has promoted unsupported claims on social media, in the media, and at political conferences.
Examples of misinformation promoted by Malhotra include:
Unsupported claims about COVID-19 vaccines
- "Catastrophic" negative effects: Malhotra has claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine has had a "catastrophic net negative effect" on society, despite extensive evidence that the vaccines have saved millions of lives globally.
- Excess deaths: In a 2023 BBC interview, Malhotra linked excess cardiovascular deaths in the UK to the vaccine. Fact-checkers and experts refuted this, pointing out that COVID-19 infection and delayed healthcare are the actual contributing factors. The BBC later apologized for not challenging his claims during the interview.
- Misleading data and cherry-picking: In a two-part article published in a journal where he serves as an editor, Malhotra called for a global pause of mRNA vaccines. A review by Science Feedback highlighted that his analysis used anecdotal and low-quality evidence while ignoring the larger body of scientific data that demonstrates the vaccines' safety and effectiveness.
- Association with cancer: In September 2025, Malhotra controversially claimed at a Reform UK party conference that COVID-19 vaccines may be a "significant factor" in cancers among members of the royal family. This claim was condemned by health officials and Cancer Research UK, who stated there is no evidence of a link between COVID vaccines and cancer risk.
Promoting false vaccine-related narratives
- "Turbo cancers": Malhotra has associated himself with groups that promote the false claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause "turbo cancers," a baseless conspiracy theory.
- RFK Jr. connection: He has allied with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., another proponent of vaccine misinformation, and has reportedly promoted the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism.
- VAERS misuse: He has pointed to data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to suggest widespread vaccine harms. VAERS cautions that reports are not verified and cannot be used to establish a causal link, as anyone can submit a report.
Questionable dietary advice and statin claims
- Statin effectiveness: Malhotra has publicly questioned the need for statins, claiming they offer little benefit for primary prevention of heart disease. Medical experts, including Rory Collins of Oxford, have condemned these claims as dangerous to public health.
- Dietary claims: In a book published during the COVID-19 pandemic, Malhotra claimed his dietary plan could reduce the risk of viral infection, a claim criticized by experts for being exaggerated and unsubstantiated by medical research.
Regulatory action and expert condemnation
- Ignoring a formal inquiry: The General Medical Council (GMC) initially declined to investigate Malhotra's COVID-19 vaccine claims, citing freedom of speech. A legal challenge led by the Good Law Project and a junior doctor forced the GMC to reverse its decision and agree to reconsider.
- Widespread condemnation: Medical experts, fact-checking organizations, and health institutions like the British Heart Foundation have repeatedly and publicly refuted Malhotra's claims. He has also been a featured speaker for known anti-vaccination groups and podcasts that are often criticized for spreading misinformation.
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