Category Archives: Health

Vaxxed III: Unmitigated disinformation

Posted in Anti-Vaccination Lobby, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccine, Health, Immunisation, Media, Vaxxed by

On 23 August this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent US presidential campaign in ten battleground states, choosing to endorse Donald Trump. He cited the same causes, “that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent”, according to AP News. Namely, free speech the war in Ukraine and “a war on our children”.

Kennedy: Anti-vaccine activist

There is, of course, no war on American children. Nor a war on any children in developed nations, in the sense Kennedy is alluding to. In fact as the chairman of Children’s Health Defense (CHD), Kennedy has himself waged a long battle against one of public health’s most important pillars; childhood immunisation. As with every anti-vaccine activist, COVID-19 presented Kennedy with an opportunity to manipulate and exploit a growing pool of misguided and misinformed individuals. Those who blame COVID-19 vaccines for virtually every illness or cause of death. Let me stress, I’m not referring to the known side effects but rather, those pushed by COVID conspiracy theorists and tireless anti-vaxxers. Ultimately, Kennedy’s profile expanded markedly, as did CHD revenue.

So comfortable with deceit, when he began his independent trot toward the White House, Kennedy insisted he was not anti-vaccine. This, despite telling a supportive crowd in December 2021, “It is criminal medical malpractice to give a child one of these vaccines”. Despite his influence in bringing about the measles tragedy in Samoa. He worked hard at the presidential pretence, even temporarily stepping down from his position as CHD Chair. Still today, the “chairman on leave” video message on every CHD website page lacks any reference to vaccines. Yet Kennedy mentions “unnecessary injuries” suffered by children, includes studies of autism and developmental disorder rates and packs in 16 snippets of autistic individuals – mostly with pronounced symptoms. Children are chronically sicker than ever before, “wandering around in a toxic soup”, Kennedy tells viewers. In search of the cause he will die with his boots on, fighting for them. Kennedy originally wrongly linked vaccines to autism in a, now removed, 2005 Rolling Stones article. This fact check piece offers an excellent deconstruction of the misconceptions used to make that link.

Vaxxed

Kennedy’s Children’s Health Defense has been hard at work targeting vaccine evidence during the COVID pandemic. This includes the making of the third Vaxxed film, Vaxxed III: Authorised to Kill, by CHD Films. True to the Vaxxed brand, it is a slick cornucopia of fear-mongering and falsehood. A key figure in this ghastly enterprise is interviewer and co-producer Polly Tommey, who has been involved with the first two Vaxxed films. Readers may remember Tommey was banned from Australia for three years following her antics in promoting the original Vaxxed film here in 2017. Trundling about with the (then) Australian Vaccination-skeptics Network, Tommey, who wrongly believes the MMR vaccine caused her son, Billy, to develop autism, told Australian audiences “doctors were murderers”. The Tommey named as producer of Vaxxed III and Vaxxed II: The people’s truth, is her other son, Tobias. The second and third Vaxxed films have been directed by Brian Burrowes. The first Vaxxed was directed by Andrew Wakefield and produced by Del Bigtree.

In doing some basic research for this post, I noted that Polly Tommey has changed not at all. On 6 September she used CHD’s X account to peddle the falsehood that “an experimental” oral polio vaccine is being used in Gaza. She added the sweeping claim that “the oral polio vaccine” is responsible for the poliovirus infecting “hundreds each year”. Like most persistent anti-vaccine lies there is a kernel of truth here. A prior oral polio vaccine caused disease in ~1 in 2.9 million. However, the new oral vaccine in Gaza does not contain the vaccine-derived strain responsible for past infections. More so, it is the lack of vaccination and the presence of poliovirus in human waste causing the problem. In addition, removal of the problematic weakened virus in 2016, in an attempt to prevent vaccine-derived outbreaks, resulted in greater infection rates. Citing a draft report for the World Health Organisation, AP News explain:

The polio strain in question evolved from a weakened virus that was originally part of an oral vaccine credited with preventing millions of children worldwide from being paralyzed. But that virus was removed from the vaccine in 2016 in hopes of preventing vaccine-derived outbreaks.

Public health authorities knew that decision would leave people unprotected against that particular strain, but they thought they had a plan to ward off and quickly contain any outbreaks. Instead, the move resulted in a surge of thousands of cases.

Suffice it to say, facts are anathema to CHD and Tommey. Which brings us to the quality of Vaxxed III: Authorised to Kill. As with the prior two films the main content is of people interviewed about so-called “vaccine injuries”, deaths and negative health system experiences, filmed in a Vaxxed bus driving across the USA. Like all Vaxxed buses this one was wrapped in Vaxxed brand colour and font. This time the message was Vax – UnVax: The People’s Study. The journey took nine months. All the COVID-19 anti-vaccine tropes are there. Countless testimonies of “life-altering injuries and deaths”, frightening symptoms, scans of brain tumours and pulmonary bleeds, suicidal tendencies and futile hospitalisations. Whistleblowers, medical professionals and lawyers apparently serve to legitimise what is unmitigated disinformation. Viewers are primed to accept that any response to COVID was a “fundamental violation of human rights”.

Vaxxed films are slick productions. Well edited to give the impression of government and health-authority deception, feeding viewers a misleading narrative that casts vaccines as harmful toxins pushed onto an unsuspecting public for nefarious reasons. A conspiracy to hide the truth is always present. As with all Vaxxed buses the names of the “vaccine injured” and dead are written on the outside of the bus. The dedication page for these most recent names contains over 1,350 entries, many of which list autism from MMR or “childhood vaccinations”. Apart from harm done to perception of vaccine safety and public health, individuals exploited and coaxed into a victim mindset, experience genuine pain and distress. Nothing good comes from these films.

Message on the CHD Vaxxed bus

This latest Vaxxed chapter raises a few questions for those of us in Australia who followed the antics of The Australian Vaccination-risks Network (AVN) and their much troubled journeys in their own Vaxxed II: The People’s Truth, bus. The AVN hit the road in July 2020 in their bus, sticking closely to the Vaxxed script. They clocked up seven seperate tours in two buses, as the first was irreversibly damaged in NSW flood waters. On 8 July 2020, AVN founder Meryl Dorey revealed parents “will be filmed for an up-coming Australian documentary”. Five weeks earlier president Anita Hafemeister had boldly claimed, “This will be the Australian version of Vaxxed II, I assume”. All that excitement led this humble author to speculate that the Vaxxed II bus tour would yield material for Vaxxed III. In fact the AVN was still advertising the bus, with sponsorship requests, in February this year. One can only assume that the reality of CHD dollars, Kennedy’s backing and the ambition of Polly Tommey has for now, kept content from Down Under off the big screen.

Polly Tommey and CHD are pushing to fill theatres in the US for an 18 September screening. A host of graphics are offered to assist fans to spread the word on social media. All contain the image of a driverless bus emerging from the mist in the dead of night. The film is being advertised with an unabashed call for donations. Or if you’d like to be an associate, co-‘ or executive producer with a minimum donation of $10,000, that privilege is a mere phone call away. No doubt Vaxxed III will make a profit for Kennedy’s CHD.

Of more concern, is that acceptance of COVID vaccine misinformation has grown in developed nations under the labour of anti-vaccine activists. The USA is currently experiencing a growth in the belief of COVID vaccine falsehoods and this film, along with the discussion that follows, may well worsen that trend in the US and elsewhere. Australian anti-vaxxers will have to wait for an online release.

Polly Tommey and Co discuss pre-release debunking of Vaxxed III

Vale Jane Hansen

Posted in Anti-Vaccination Lobby, General, Health, Media, Science, Skeptic, Social Media by

Last week Jane Hansen passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Jane was a deeply committed and focused journalist who utilised evidence to challenge pseudoscience, scams and disinformation. Jane regularly used truth to expose those who profited from exploitation of the vulnerable. She had journalistic skills equal to multiple tasks. Her presentation style and writing made that abundantly clear.

Consequently, Jane’s colleagues have recently offered other adjectives to describe her as a journalist. Esteemed, celebrated, legendary, star, courageous, compassionate, revered, renowned, tireless, passionate, crusader, genuinely funny, a giant, a hero, a pioneering female, a warrior for truth. Social media reflected the extent of the respect Jane had engendered over the years. Amazing, awesome, tireless warrior, dedicated, excellent, great… and more. A quick search for Jane’s name yields a veritable stampede of honorific headlines, all jostling to make individual statements, yet all condensing around one notion: Praise.

Respected Australian journalist, Ray Martin offered this summary:

“Jane Hansen gave journalism a good name. She was formidable, energetic and ethical.

“She fought relentlessly for the underdog and the disadvantaged – especially women and Indigenous Australians.

“Jane was smart, funny and a reliable friend. We’ll miss her pursuit of excellence, as she tried to keep the bastards honest.”

Jane was also a loving and loved mother, sister and an adored friend of many. I knew Jane only through the occasional email exchange or direct messaging on social media, yet often enjoyed her well known talent for making people laugh. I’ve lost count of the number of times I consulted an article Jane had written to orient myself regarding a specific anti-vaccine insult, or from whom a certain deceit had arisen. One highlight for me was Jane’s work in the making, production and promotion of Big Shots: Anti-Vaxxers Exposed. Made in the early, pre-vaccine days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane capably bridged the harm that anti-vaccine lobbying had already caused in Australia, and the foreseeable damage COVID conspiracy theories would inevitably bring.

Readers familiar with the tactics of vaccine conspiracy theorists can certainly guess, or may well be aware, of how they have reacted to this news. Fortunately, Jane made a lasting schism in their fragile credibility, leaving in her wake a surging wash of evidence-based reasoning, powerful enough to smother both their deceit and vulgarity. Jane always focused on presenting the facts. Her critics focused on attacking the person. On the day Big Shots aired in 2021, Jane was interviewed on Sky News, and shared this observation, which in my mind reflects both her sense of fairness and respect for sound public health.

I don’t have a problem with questioning a vaccine. This is a new vaccine, we want to know if it’s safe. There’s no point in having an unsafe vaccine; we all want a safe vaccine. But some of the misinformation that’s being spread is just ludicrous.

Jane’s career was extensive, including her role as a war correspondent for Network 10 in both Iraq and Bosnia, later working on the current affairs programme Hard Copy. She worked at Channel Nine for fourteen years. Jane co-authored Boned, the eye-opening book on boys-club mentality in TV media, and also authored the deeply personal and emotional Three Seasons. Her own experiences aided her unbiased assessment of Kathleen Folbigg, culminating in Jane writing and presenting the popular podcast Mother’s Guilt. Of course, Jane also managed her extensive and impressive career at The Sunday Telegraph.

Jane’s tireless campaigning was instrumental to the introduction of the Abbott/Turnbull government’s No Jab, No Pay/Play policies. Introduced in 2016, this public health initiative has seen an ongoing increase in life-saving childhood vaccination and is regarded as an overwhelming success. Jane’s reporting on anti-vaccine responses to it continue to educate the community. The same can be said for her criticism of anti-fluoridation conspiracies. In 2018 Jane was the inaugural winner of The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism. Australian Skeptics Inc. explain:

The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism is awarded for journalistic work that critically analyses or exposes issues related to pseudoscience or the paranormal. The award is dubbed “The Wallaby” after Barry’s alter ego of Sir Jim R Wallaby, which he used for some of his more whimsical pieces published in The Skeptic magazine. In addition to a commemorative certificate, $2000 is awarded to the recipient or to a charity or cause of their choice.

Jane Hansen awarded the “Wallaby” 2018

Jane’s respect for evidence-based public health policies was linked to her desire for a more just world. In addition to her work exposing pseudoscience, Jane also reported on childhood muscular dystrophy, childhood medication, childhood cancer, cardiac health, teen vaping, IVF clinics, endangered animals, diabetes, organ donation and much more. Claire Harvey described Jane as “the most passionate journalistic crusader” she’d ever known. Jane’s work will remain and continue to positively influence others.

As a final note I’d like to stress there is no such thing as turbo cancer and no evidence COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer. Jane passed away late on 6th August after being diagnosed less than two years ago with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Outside of inherited syndromes or exposure to radiation, the cause of glioblastomas is not known. More common in older adults, they may occur at any age. Research has not identified anything that can prevent development of glioblastoma.

Respect your elderberries?

Posted in General, Health, Science, Skeptic, So Called Alternative Medicine by

A couple of weeks before the start of winter, I wandered past a garish product display in my local pharmacy. A glossy purple hexagon boasted orange font across its middle; Clinically proven. Underneath that in white font: Shorten your cold by up to 3 days.

Taking in the entire sign, I spotted a familiar brand name. Sambucol® – Black Elderberry, a product of PharmaCare. The hexagon sat atop five cardboard shelves each labelled with more claims: Feel Better Faster, Intensive Immune, Shorten Your Cold, all packed with something for “kids”. Immune Defence Gummies, Soothing Throat Pops and Soothing Lozenges to “refresh the nose and throat”. It all sounded wonderful. I mean, who doesn’t want to feel better faster? Or puff up immunity with gummies? And knock 3 days off a cold? Surely it wasn’t just for kids. Then I wondered, could such claims really be “clinically proven”?

The elderberry grows on the elder plant (Sambucus nigra). Nataly Martini of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland has written about elderberry in the Journal of Primary Healthcare, 31 March 2021 (2021;13(1):91–92. doi:10.1071/HC15960). It is reproduced by the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners, as a Potion or Poison article accessible here. The author notes “Dried or fresh berries have been used to treat constipation, neuropathic pain, headache, tooth-ache, sinus congestion, sore throat, influenza and the common cold, among others”. A meta-analysis of four randomised placebo-controlled studies, often cited by Pharmacare in promoting Sambucol, is also referenced. Martini reports that supplementation with elderberry, “reduced the duration of upper respiratory symptoms in verified cases of influenza, or symptoms consistent with either influenza or the common cold, when administered at the onset of symptoms”.

Martini continues:

Other studies have reported that elderberry supplementation significantly reduced symptoms and the duration of influenza A by 3–4 days, or the common cold by ~2 days in long-haul travellers. However, in the latter study half of the participants also used co-medication to relieve symptoms, limiting the application of these findings.

Writing in The Conversation Monash immunology researcher Kim Murphy referred to the latter study noting the collective duration of colds, rather than the average length, was compared in unequal group sizes, and concluded, “this isn’t a reliable finding”. What stands out in Martini’s article is the Summary Message. It highlights a recurring theme with the efficacy of elderberry preparations and symptom duration. Namely, that more research is needed to substantiate claims and high quality trials are currently lacking:

Although findings suggest that elderberry may be effective in reducing symptoms and duration of viral infections, more high-quality human trials are needed to substantiate these claims. Currently no studies support the use of elderberry in coronaviruses. Generally regarded as safe, toxicity may result from ingestion of raw or uncooked fruit, and allergies may occur in susceptible people. Use is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient evidence. Elderberry products may exacerbate symptoms in patients with autoimmune diseases. Caution is advised with immunosuppressants as elderberry may reduce effectiveness of these drugs. No major drug interactions are known.


Pharmacare is an alternative medicine manufacturer, and as such its primary concern is brand promotion and brand protection. In essence, Pharmacare is about sales. There’s nothing wrong with this, but as a skeptic I’m more concerned with the transparency of the claim that Sambucol® is “clinically proven” to reduce cold symptoms by up to three days. Can such a claim be trusted? Let’s review a 2018 article by Liam Mannix, science reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald; University of Sydney pulls claims elderberries can fight flu, to get our bearings. The article opens:

One of the country’s leading universities has been forced to retract a claim its study showed eating elderberries could help beat the flu after admitting it was overhyping its own science.

The University of Sydney also concealed the research was part-funded by company Pharmacare – which sells elderberry-based flu remedies – at the company’s request. Although it was declared in the study itself, the university also failed to publicise that a Pharmacare employee was involved in the research.

The flu-busting claim, made in a press release and published on the university’s website, attracted national and international media attention, most of which did not mention the Pharmacare funding.

The article reveals that the study simply focused on in-vitro dosing of human cells in a laboratory environment. No mice or human subjects were involved. As stressed in the article such research is fine, but how it is represented is vital. Professor Ken Harvey, then-president of Friends of Science in Medicine observed:

“This is an appalling misrepresentation of this Pharmacare-funded in-vitro study. It was inappropriate and misleading to imply from this study that an extract was ‘proven to fight flu’.”

The article reveals that Pharmacare were aware of the press release but requested not to be named, for reasons study authors did not understand. Ray Moynihan, an assistant professor at Bond University’s Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, who studies science reporting in the media stressed it raised “serious concerns” about transparency. “It is vital information for us to know who sponsored the study“, he said at the time.

The Sydney Uni episode said much about Pharmacare transparency and even more about claims relying on Pharmacare-funded studies. The company presently has a collection of articles gathered to back its many assertions. Some cite Pharmacare studies, whilst others present generalised health-related information, citing other studies, articles and reports. Following Sambucol® “shortening colds by up to 3 days” brings us to a page that opens with:

Sambucol® Black Elderberry Cold & Flu is the only Black Elderberry Cold & Flu product clinically proven to shorten your cold by up to 3 days.

The page refers to a study by Rao A, et al, and informs the reader it is an, “Unpublished study by RDC Global on behalf of Pharmacare Laboratories. Available on request.” More about this study, can be gleaned from a Pharmacare internal catalogue on their Clinically Proven Formula, which is marked on each page, “For Professional and Internals Staff use only. Not to be distributed”. The catalogue includes a number of Pharmacare-funded studies, and lists the Rao et al, study title in full: Rao A, Sethi M, Dick C, A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy Sambucol® liquid formulation to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold symptoms in adults. PHA-Sam15. 2016.

The catalogue summary of the study, offers graphs and a report on p.6. It professes a 31.8% reduction in symptom severity and a reduction in sick days from 8.9 to 5.9 (33.7%) days between placebo and Sambucol® recipients. The public summary includes:

The efficacy of Sambucol Black Elderberry Cold & Flu to reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms was researched in a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled study sponsored by Pharmacare Laboratories.

The study included 461 healthy, adult participants and found that participants who took Sambucol® Black Elderberry Cold & Flu daily from the onset of cold symptoms were sick for a significantly shorter period of time.

The median duration of illness for the placebo group was eight days, whereas the median duration of illness for the group taking Sambucol® Black Elderberry Cold & Flu was five days – a median three-day reduction in duration of illness.

According to the study, “The results show that supplementation with Sambucol® Black Elderberry Cold & Flu at the onset of cold symptoms significantly reduced the duration of a cold episode as well as significantly reduced the severity and impact of cold and flu symptoms.

Being unpublished, the Rao et al, study lacks the authority attributed to peer reviewed research. Nor has it been reproduced independently. Yet Pharmacare-funded studies are of paramount importance to their business model. It allows the company to produce and distribute positive material related to Pharmacare brands. As the FAQ page informs us under, What is the difference between Sambucol Black Elderberry products and other black elderberry products?

Not all black elderberry extracts are the same. Only Sambucol Black Elderberry, the original black elderberry extract introduced more than 20 years ago, contains the same proprietary, naturally balanced elderberry extract used in the published scientific studies. Other products use a concentrated, standardized elderberry extract. They are fundamentally different ingredients.

Pharmacare Brands

Nonetheless, the internal Pharmacare catalogue cites a number of studies where generic elderberry extract is used, to assert its effect on the duration and impact of cold and flu symptoms. There have been no comparative studies of extract efficacy, and as such there is no evidence that Sambucol® Black Elderberry is more or less effective than any other black elderberry extract. Generic extracts have been used in “the published scientific studies”, such as the Hawkins et al meta-analysis, which found an association with reduced influenza A symptoms and duration.

Speaking of influenza, Pharmacare cite two studies in their internal catalogue that conclude Sambucol® has an effect against influenza. On page 6 they refer to in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy against influenza A and B. On page 7 they refer to in-vitro efficacy in reducing H5N1 by 99%. The catch for Pharmacare here, is that Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) limit the seriousness of diseases and symptoms that they can claim Sambucol® relieves. Influenza is not accepted (see below). On another note, one must be aware that Pharmacare’s Sambucol® benefits from generic use of the term Sambucol. Consider this entry for Sambucol at drugs.com.

Sambucol is a berry from a European or Black elder tree. The berries are used to make medicine. Sambucol is also known as Arbre de Judas, Baccae, Baises de Sureau, Black-Berried Alder, Black Elder, Boor Tree, Bountry, Elderberries, Ellanwood, Ellhorn, European Alder, Fruit de Sureau, Grand Sureau, Hautbois, Holunderbeeren, Sabugeuiro-negro, Sambequier, Sambu, Sambuc, Sambuci Sambucus, Sambugo, Sauco, Saúco Europeo, Schwarzer Holunder, Seuillet, Seuillon, Sureau, Sureau Noir, Sus, Suseau, or Sussier.

The emerging claim that Sambucol® improves immunity also deserves comment. The internal catalogue summarises a 2002 study by Barak et al, on page 8, with the conclusion:

Sambucol® activate the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production more effectively compared to other herbal remedies.

The study, The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared Sambucol® to propolis and Echinacea. These are used as herbal treatments and preventatives of upper respiratory tract infections in adults and children. The cytokine-modulating effect of echinacea has been demonstrated in-vitro and in animal studies. However, a 2021 systemic review concludes firm evidence linking elderberry to inflammatory cytokine production is lacking. However, accounts of elderberry syrup linked to Drug Induced Liver Injury and Autoimmune Hepatitis have become evident. In the latter case the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines has been considered. Depending on future incidence, proper management at the point of sale may thus require an understanding of patient history. Whilst this is possible in the pharmacy setting it is not so elsewhere.

The claimed reliability of elderberry lends itself to the appeal to antiquity as it has reportedly been used for centuries, for a host of purported reasons, as mentioned above, in addition to heart disease, gum disease, high cholesterol and obesity. The drugs.com entry for Elderberry and Sambucol are identical and include (bold mine):

It is not certain whether [Sambucol/Elderberry] is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. This medicine should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned promoters of elderberry syrup, as evidenced by (for example) a September 2000 warning letter and another in August 2022, written to highlight breaches of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act because the products advertised were “intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease”. The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements. In Australia the TGA accepts Sambucol Black Elderberry Cold & Flu and Sambucol Black Elderberry Cold & Flu + Pain as Listed medicines as opposed to Registered medicines.

Read more about TGA classifications here, and please remember a September 2022 TGA review of Sambucol® states, “The efficacy of the medicine was not assessed as part of this review”. Thus the term “TGA Assessed” cannot be used in relation to this product or on its label. Read more about TGA regulation of Listed medicines here. The TGA does not approve Listed medicine labels before marketing. The TGA state:

This is because we take a risk-based approach to regulation, which means higher risk medicines have more rigorous controls than lower risk medicines. However, we do require sponsors to certify that the medicine complies with all relevant regulation, and that they hold evidence that their medicine does what it says it will. Source: TGA – How we regulate medicines.

The public summary on the TGA Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods for Sambucol Black Elderberry Cold & Flu permits the following indications.

  • Relieve weariness/tiredness/fatigue/feeling of weakness.
  • Maintain/support general health and wellbeing.
  • Decrease/reduce/relieve common cold duration.
  • Helps decrease/reduce/relieve the severity of symptoms of common colds and flu.
  • Decrease/reduce/relieve symptoms of common colds and flu.
  • Decrease/reduce/relieve mild upper respiratory tract congestion.
  • Decrease/reduce/relieve cough.
  • Relieve symptoms of sore throat/pharyngitis.

Indication requirements are as follows:

  • Label statement: If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
  • Product presentation must not imply or refer to serious forms of respiratory disorders/diseases, such as: asthma, pneumonia, COAD, COPD, influenza.
  • Label statement: Adults only, OR Not to be used in children under 2 years of age without medical advice (or words to that effect).
  • Respiratory tract infections must be qualified by ‘mild’.
  • Product presentation must not imply or refer to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Looking at the above it is clear the TGA have been more than generous with the allowed claims in the ARTG indications for this product. Particularly given the lack of published evidence and the absence of TGA assessment for efficacy. I don’t accept that Sambucol is clinically proven to shorten colds or boost immunity or any other claims made in sales promotion. The evidence simply isn’t there and relying on unpublished work organised and funded by Pharmacare is misleading. Whilst an impact of elderberry syrup on cold and flu symptoms is acknowledged in literature, the most common conclusion is that more research is needed. Quality human trials are still lacking.

So what might Pharmacare have planned to improve evidence in their favour? The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, presently has the registered trial ACTRN12623000299606, last updated 7 April 2024. The title is, Determining the effectiveness of Sambucol in reducing the duration and symptoms of the common cold in children and teens. The age group is 2-17 and the aim is to use Sambucol and report on symptoms via, “a purpose-built study app ‘Sambucol Research’.” The methodology is likely to favour Pharmacare, particularly given that there is no control group. Rather, “a comparison will be made to two existing data sets”.

The first data set is reported as:

Data describing the incidence, severity and duration of different cold symptoms in children over a six-week period. (Troullos E, Baird L, Jayawardena S. Common Cold Symptoms in Children: Results of an Internet-Based Surveillance Program. J Med Internet Res. 2014 Jun 19;16(6):e144.) This study was not a randomised controlled trial or an intervention. The study observed duration and severity of colds and as such was not registered.

The second data set is “a confidential report to Pharmacare”, and is none other than the initial unpublished study that found Sambucol® “shortened colds by up to 3 days”; Rao A, Sethi M, Dick C. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Sambucol liquid formulation to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold and flu symptoms in adults.

The more things change…

Fidge v Pfizer: High Court writ targets Chief Justice Debra Mortimer

Posted in Anti-Vaccination Lobby, COVID-19 Vaccine, Legal by

Last we visited developments related to the Fidge v Pfizer case, we had a long look at ambitious arguments arranged to convince Federal Court Chief Justice Debra Mortimer to uphold a constitutional complaint against Justice Helen Rofe. Rofe had summarily dismissed Dr. Julian Fidge’s application for injunctive relief under the Gene Technology Act on 1 March 2024. The judgement is here and my post summarising the case is here.

Fidge was found to lack standing and the case did not proceed. As I mentioned at the time, this was the latest failure of case design by solicitors Katie Ashby-Koppens and Peter Fam, and retired barrister Julian Gillespie. By 22 March Ashby-Koppens and PJ O’Brien and Associates had filed the constitutional complaint with the Chief Justice, alleging Justice Rofe had concealed “her connections to Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry, before dismissing a case to Pfizer’s advantage”. Reading the complaint, one is struck by both the tenuous nature and the sheer range of the arguments put forward to establish motive, as alleged by the complainants.

Justice Rofe omitted to disclose her role as a barrister acting for Pfizer in patent law cases around 20 years before; hence the “connections to Pfizer”. Yet her connections to “the pharmaceutical industry” rely on one following a convoluted web of associations, that are presented by the complainants as potentially nefarious only through the lens of conspiracy theory thinking. In fact the reader must also accept there are inherent flaws and a predisposition to deception associated with scientific and medical research per se, and indeed any acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and/or COVID public health initiatives.

On 27 June a writ of mandamus was lodged on behalf of Dr. Julian Fidge at the Brisbane registry of the High Court of Australia. The defendant named was Chief Justice Debra Mortimer. As we’ve observed before, such a writ commands or dictates that an individual or government department carry out a duty that falls within their remit. We saw this in the AVN case targeting the Secretary of the Department of Health to use his powers under the Therapeutic Goods Act to cancel or suspend the provisional registration of three Covid-19 vaccines, including the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (Australian Vaccination-Risks Network Incorporated v Secretary, Department of Health [2022] FCA 320). They too were found to lack standing.

Clearly Julian Gillespie and Katie Ashby-Koppens feel that three months is long enough to wait. Justice Mortimer has not commented and Gillespie writes that they have argued in “countless correspondence with her office ever since the Complaint was lodged with her”, pointing out their argument. It basically runs as follows:

Helen Rofe did not disclose her prior relationship with Pfizer and thus cancelled out her own judicial authority. This invalidated her 1 March ruling. Justice Mortimer should have informed her of this, Gillespie reasons. He has also peddled ad nauseam his “not a judge” theory. So, let’s look at this. Gillespie cites the High Court ruling QYFM v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (May 2023), paragraph 26. He quotes:

The question arising in the circumstances of the present case falls to be resolved at the level of principle within the framework established in Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy. Foundational to that framework are two propositions. One is that impartiality is an indispensable aspect of the exercise of judicial power. The other is that “[b]ias, whether actual or apprehended, connotes the absence of impartiality” … an actuality or apprehension of bias is accordingly inherently jurisdictional in that it negates judicial power.

With the negation of judicial power Justice Rofe is apparently “not a judge”. But let’s read that paragraph again, with all the text and a minor change in emphasis:

The question arising in the circumstances of the present case falls to be resolved at the level of principle within the framework established in Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy. Foundational to that framework are two propositions. One is that impartiality is an indispensable aspect of the exercise of judicial power. The other is that “[b]ias, whether actual or apprehended, connotes the absence of impartiality”. Leaving to one side exceptional circumstances of waiver or necessity, an actuality or apprehension of bias is accordingly inherently jurisdictional in that it negates judicial power.

Exceptional circumstances of waiver or necessity. Could there be circumstances of necessity? I’ve no idea at this point, but it seems relevant. Gillespie assumes he and others so inclined deserve the attention of one of Australia’s most senior judges. Despite being wrong five times in two years, they now seek to force the hand of the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia. He accuses Chief Justice Mortimer of not “properly investigating Helen Rofe, her workmate”.

Another key reason to take this position is the belief that the ruling by Justice Rofe on 1 March is “unappealable”, yet Chief Justice Mortimer “wants to see us appeal the 1 March decision despite Dr Fidge’s legal team telling her that decision is unappealable”. The logic for this also stems from the “not a judge” mantra. The Federal Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear a judicial decision from a single judge. As Gillespie alleges Justice Rofe negated her judicial authority, the case did not have a single judge and they “have no decision vested with judicial authority”. Thus, the Gillespie contention is that it follows that the case is “unappealable”.

Finally, this entire manufactured affair provides an opportunity for chasing donations and to promote Australia’s anti-science senators in attacking COVID-19 vaccines. An initiative of Children’s Health Defense Australia Chapter is Section 72. The website seeks to direct devotees to lobby MPs to act in response to the constitutional complaint against Justice Rofe, and to date claims almost 9,000 have “taken action”. It also claims without any evidence that, “there is also the possibility other members of the same court are implicated in this misconduct of Justice Rofe”. Also:

Senators Malcolm Roberts, Gerard Rennick, Ralph Babet, Alex Antic and Russell Broadbent all intend to support the Complaint being dealt with properly by Parliament under Section 72(ii) of the Constitution…

Section 72(ii) of The Australian Constitution states:

The Justices of the High Court and of the other courts created by the Parliament–

  (ii.)   Shall not be removed except by the Governor-General in Council, on an address from both Houses of the Parliament in the same session, praying for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity: 

The proposed aim of this constitutional complaint has been to push for Justice Rofe’s removal from the Federal Court. Allegations of corruption and COVID conspiracy theories shape the thinking of those involved. It will be interesting to see what response if any the complaint elicits and how the recent High Court filing targeting Chief Justice Mortimer for “not doing her job” plays out.

This particular anti-vax legal saga is likely far from over.

Kambo: The promised cure linked to injury and death

Posted in Alternative "medicine" scams, Health, Human Rights, Legal, Science, Skeptic by

An inquest into a Kambo related fatality in Northern NSW has been suspended by NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan, who referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This is the second inquest into a death linked to the frog poison touted as an alternative medicine, to be heard at Lismore Court House since May 2023.

Jarrad Antonovich

Evidence in this case described how Jarrad Antonovich attended the Dreaming Arts Festival in Arcoora Northern NSW, on 16 October 2021. He died of a perforated oesophagus that night. His day included a Kambo ritual at around 10am. Kambo ceremonies at the festival were being run by Cameron Kite. After the Kambo, Antonovich displayed symptoms of being very unwell, including a markedly swollen neck – an adverse reaction known to be caused by Kambo. Despite being unable to stand without support by 5pm, Mr. Antonovich was later given the psychoactive brew, ayahuasca. He died during the ayahuasca ceremony after being helped into a hall where it was to take place. Both Kambo and ayahuasca are illegal in Australia. The inquest heard from different witnesses that they believed Mr. Antonovich was in need of professional help, but they had been instructed not to interfere with anyone’s “journey”, and to trust the medicine, the shamans and the organisers. The offer to call an ambulance was made by other festival attendees, but Antonovich refused and elders “reassured” concerned onlookers.

An ambulance was not called until 11:30pm and took an hour to reach the remote location. As Jarrad Antonovich’s life ended, organiser Soulore (“Lore”) Solaris was strumming his guitar at the front of the gathering, as others in another location were being guided in CPR over radio, as they attempted to save Mr. Antonovich. When paramedics arrived Mr. Antonovich was blue in the face and dead. Ten or twenty people in the immediate area were engrossed in the ceremony and one asked paramedics to “move away from Jarred because they were interfering with his aura”. Both Kambo and ayahuasca are associated with vomiting or “purging”, as adherents refer to it. Ayahuasca induces violent and sometimes prolonged vomiting. The coroner was investigating the likelihood that vomiting caused Mr. Antonovich’s perforated oesophagus. The exact reasons behind the coroner’s decision to refer the case to the DPP cannot currently be revealed.

Lore Solaris and Cameron Kite

Dreaming Arts Festival organiser Lore Solaris, a counsellor who facilitates ayahuasca ceremonies, is presently subject to a NSW Health Care Complaints Commission interim prohibition order under the Health Care Complaints Act 1993, Section 41AA. The order reads in part:

Mr Soulore Solaris must not under any circumstances provide, or cause to be provided, any health services, either in paid employment or voluntary, to any member of the public.

Interim orders may apply “during any investigation of a complaint against a non-registered health practitioner”. The HCCC may make an interim order if:

a) it has a reasonable belief that the health practitioner has breached a code of conduct for non-registered health practitioners, and 

(b) it is of the opinion that– 

(i) the health practitioner poses a serious risk to the health or safety of members of the public, and 

(ii) the making of an interim prohibition order is necessary to protect the health or safety of members of the public. 

Jarrad Antonovich’s former partner, Patrick Santucci, gave evidence in May 2023 that Lore Solaris had called to reassure him Jarrad’s death was a “beautiful occasion”. Solaris told him that kinesiologists couldn’t find anything wrong with him. Kinesiologists utilise acupressure on points of the imaginary “meridian system” and wrongly believe the body can heal itself. They focus on “imbalances” which may be caused by a forgotten memory or even an attitude. They may use flower essence or homeopathy. There is no evidence kinesiology works. Mr. Santucci testified that Solaris told him an Aboriginal elder chanted sacred songs, “calling the spirit out of his body” and that:

[T]he koalas were making a special sound that is known to the elders when the land accepts a spirit.

Protecting Ayahuasca

Both Kite and Solaris were due to give evidence on 24 May; the day the inquest was suspended. Had they given evidence, it was expected the men would have responded to alarming statements given by other witnesses, describing attempts to cover up events and mislead police. For example Mr. Antonovich had difficulty breathing, was moaning in pain and his neck was swollen to the jaw line. Kambo practitioner Laara Cooper suggested giving him ayahuasca as this could “help shift” the Kambo induced discomfort. Consequently Antonovich was given what was described as a “not small” cup of the brew by Cameron Kite at the instruction of Solaris.

Cooper and Solaris had told ceremonial “guardians” to drive to Antonovich’s home and tell his flatmate not to mention to police the use of ayahuasca, in an attempt to “protect the medicines”. The inquest heard Cameron Kite was deeply distressed by events at the festival and told his partner at the time that Solaris and Cooper “just took over” the account given to police. Festival attendees were also told not to speak to police or paramedics about what actually happened as it may “damage the good work” being done with Kambo and ayahuasca. Antonovich was found to have ingested toxic levels of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT); ayahuasca’s most powerful psychedelic.

Both ayahuasca and Kambo are favoured as alternative medicines by neo-shamanic devotees, convinced purging “detox” experiences lead to personal growth and discovery. Logical fallacies such as appeal to antiquity, appeal to nature and an unguarded tendency toward xenocentrism, leave them vulnerable to experimentation and/or regular use of both substances. Traditional use of both can be traced back to indigenous tribes of the Amazon. Ayahuasca has a well established profile of around 70 years, as a promised cure for Western ailments, particularly those with a psychological component. It has also attracted research attention in offering an overhyped role in opiate addiction recovery. Despite some evidence suggesting it may have been used as early as 2000BC, widespread use across the Amazon was reliably established in the mid-19th century. Ayahuasca religions emerged very late in the 19th century. The Antonovich inquest heard that a Brazilian blend of Christianity and Amazonian shamanism (including drinking ayahuasca) had gained influence over The Australian Church of Ayahuasca, which had been active in the Northern Rivers region.

Kambo

Kambo has a much shorter history as a choice of alternative therapy in Western society. It gradually attracted interest after the International Association of Kambo Practitioners (IAKP) was established in 2014. Despite the flowery, earthy tones on their site, Kambo is emerging as a substance with a much higher risk profile than ayahuasca. IAKP claim:

IAKP teachers guide students to cultivate a profound comprehension and reverence for this potent natural modality. By enriching and forging connections with the intelligence and spirit of Kambo, our training courses enable practitioners to embrace personal growth, embark on a voyage of self-discovery, and engage in selfless service to others through the safe application of Kambo.

Kambo is collected from secretions of the Amazonian giant leaf frog, after “agitating” the innocent amphibian. Images suggest more than a little agitation is needed as they depict a frog tied by each leg and stretched asunder. The secretions are dried and packaged. Kambo is illegal in certain South American countries unless used in traditional indigenous practice, including Brazil. For Western ceremonies, the poison is reconstituted with water or saliva and applied to burn sites made with a smouldering stick on the arms, legs, chest or shoulder. Lucky recipients may get a dash of “dragons blood” tree sap as an antiseptic. The poison quickly makes its way into the lymphatic system then the bloodstream, and the effects begin.

Kambo lacks the psychedelic and hallucinogenic experience that ayahuasca brings. Writing for The Conversation Martin Williams notes:

Typically, the first symptoms reported are an initial rush of heat and redness of the face. Nausea and vomiting are often experienced within several minutes, accompanied by general malaise, racing heart, dizziness and swelling of the face, and sometimes an urge to defecate. Further effects include the feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, runny nose and tears, swollen lips, eyelids or face, and occasionally a swollen tongue or throat.

Adherents claim this process rids the body of toxins, although there is no evidence supporting the claim. In 2021 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) classified Kambo as a Schedule 10 poison (page 9). They are defined as, “substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use”. Kambo does not have any medicinal benefit and can damage the liver, stomach and cause cardiac arrest. Visiting the IAKP website page on contraindications yields nothing but arguably useless advice; “For the latest updates and safety information relating to contraindications and cautions, please seek guidance from an IAKP trained Kambo practitioner.”

In the Natasha Lechner inquest findings, Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan referenced medical contraindications “according to the IAKP” (page 9) and observed it was unclear if these are supported by peer reviewed research. She also criticised the paucity of the IAKP information relating to “risks” and particularly IAKP training material on the risk of death. One thus wonders if the present absence of contraindications is a policy recently adopted by the IAKP. More so the IAKP Code of Ethics and Professional Practice omits any reference to the dangers of Kambo itself.

Natasha Lechner

Natasha Lechner died on 8th March 2019, following a Kambo ceremony at her home in Mullumbimby. The inquest into her death was held at Lismore in May 2023. NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan handed down her findings in February 2024. The coronial findings (PDF) provide valuable insight into the insouciance with which self proclaimed shamanic healers prepare for what is known to be a high risk “ceremony”, and the potential for tragedy that awaits vulnerable individuals drawn into this culture. This was an unnecessary death stemming from a failure to call for help.

Natasha lived with a number of chronic health issues and was unable to work. Two months before her death she had undergone a two week basic Kambo course run by the IAKP. The coroner found that the IAKP was founded by Karen Darke who has no medical qualifications. IAKP has no input from toxicologists or medical practitioners in development of their training materials. Natasha took her role as a Kambo practitioner seriously.

In 2014 Natasha met Victoria Sinclair who, as a senior Kambo practitioner used the name Maestra Victoria. Her website mentioned in the coronial finding is still available. She advertises herself extensively, including:

Victoria is a transpersonal (eco)psychologist, trauma and postcolonial theorist and plant medicine practitioner, working on a High Priestess Level of initiation, ordained through several lineages and acknowledgments and in terms of shamanic initiation and training she worked prolifically in the Free Party Scene in Europe since 1990s and has been journeying and working extensively in Central and South America and Australia since 2006.

Indeed. Ranging a little further than the inquest findings, one discovers this woman has more qualifications I’m not familiar with. Such as these “therapeutic qualifications”:

Victoria has been a Reiki practitioner since 1999 and is a Master of both Tibetan Usui Reiki and Sekhem – Seichim – Reiki.  She has been teaching people globally since 2012 and has dedicated herself deeply to upgrading Sekhem teachings to help to create a Higher Pathway to Metaphysical Ethical Practitionership as part of her Dharma.

Her training background includes;  Transpersonal Psychology, Non-Dual Astrology, Epigenetics, Trauma work, Pranayama, Kundalini Yoga, Plant medicines, De-colonisation and Quantum, sound and ancestral practices… She is also a plant communicator.

If you’re not convinced you’d want to be alone with Victoria when you take a frog’s defensive secretion that the TGA later classified as a schedule 10 poison, be aware that Victoria also works with indigenous groups, “around spiritual sovereignty and healing of self and eliminating planetary dis-ease to nurture higher vibrational being for the new age and evolution of homo luminus.”

Victoria Sinclair as Maestra Victoria
Victoria Sinclair as Padma Khandro

Ranging a little further allows us to meet her latest incarnation, Victoria Padma Khandro, who is offering over this year and next:

  • High Level Multidimensional Mentoring
  • Non-Dual Astrology readings and Time-line work
  • Soul-plan work involving fusion clearing, psychotherapy, Quantum Transfiguration, Ancestral Work, Gene Keys and Astrology zero-pointing
  • Therapeutic packages including ancestral work, IFS, Quantum Transfiguration, Quantum Art Therapy and sometimes in-house referrals to deepen the scope of the work.

Returning to the inquest findings, we find that before 2019 Victoria had performed Kambo ceremonies on Natasha who either paid her or provided accomodation. In March 2019 Victoria Sinclair was visiting from Ireland and was staying with Natasha at Mullumbimby. Before Sinclair arrived Natasha had reported feeling “really off”. It should be stressed that the “ceremony” was Natasha’s idea. They began the ritual by using Sananga eye drops. Sananga is another psychoactive plant extract associated with a host of unproven health benefits. Natasha administered Kambo to Sinclair who vomited, as expected, without incident.

Sinclair administered the burn wounds onto Natasha with an incense stick, then applied the Kambo. Immediately Natasha became faint and lay down. Two minutes later she sat up, grabbed Sinclair’s hand and said “this isn’t good” or “something’s not right” before passing out. Sinclair thought she might be “processing something” and held her upright for about 10 minutes as Natasha made moaning noises. Only then did she lay Natasha down in the recovery position and remove the poison from the wounds. She attempted to revive her by pouring water over her head. Then noticing goose bumps, assumed she was cold and began to massage her limbs.

Sinclair began CPR after noticing Natasha’s lips were blue. She attempted to use a mobile phone to call an ambulance. This failed as “she did not normally use mobile phones” and didn’t know the Australian emergency number. I find this deeply troubling as mobile phones allow access to dial emergency services without needing to be unlocked, or input of the specific number. As the more experienced Kambo practitioner, with a promoted reputation of travelling the global party scene, Sinclair should have known this. Natasha’s house-mate arrived home around 90 minutes after the ceremony had begun. She immediately began CPR and called an ambulance which arrived within 5 minutes. Natasha was already dead. Despite testifying she had ceased Kambo administration after Natasha’s death, Victoria Sinclair still advertises the service. The coroner specifically addressed the legalities of Sinclair’s involvement on pp. 12, 13 & 15.

As I touched on above, the coroner was critical of the IAKP training material on the risk of death. Evidence given by Sarah Morrison (aka Aisha Priya) cited the various risks discussed (page 10). On death, information for Kambo practitioners was:

Death is discussed as a risk if the water guidelines or first aid are not adhered to or if a client is contraindicated and does not disclose this or does not know they have a medical condition.

The coroner observed the incompleteness of this information and noted it does not advise even healthy people of the true risk of Kambo. Available literature and the two cases brought to the coroner’s attention led her to observe “that death can occur even where there is no pre-existing condition, or at least not one that could be possibly identified beforehand.” It is likely Natasha experienced an acute cardiac event caused by Kambo, such as cardiac arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest or hypotension leading to cerebral hypoxia followed by respiratory arrest, as causes of her death.

Conclusion

Kambo is emerging as a significantly dangerous substance favoured by individuals interested in extreme so-called alternative medicines. It has been rapidly adopted by communities already familiar with ayahuasca, yet has a demonstrably higher risk profile. There is no scientific evidence to support the efficacy of Kambo in alleviating health problems as claimed by proponents. Nonetheless, the presence in Kambo of peptides and polypeptides with analgesic properties and affinity for opiate receptors may explain “feelings of well being and improvement of motor skills”, that users describe, and offer insight into repeated use.

Still, it is the very complex nature of active substances in the secretion that cause arterial hypotension, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia, facial swelling (see Maestra Victoria above) and uncontrolled smooth muscle changes in the gut. To hope that shamans and self-styled practitioners of Kambo, who offer it as a means to spiritual awakening, are all capable of managing a genuine adverse reaction to the poison is futile. Use of Kambo in Western rituals is entwined with new age scam “therapies” so clearly divorced from reality as to almost beggar belief. This is not the case in the indigenous Amazon populations using Kambo.

Vulnerable individuals interested in exploring non evidence-based treatments for chronic health problems are at high risk of harm if not death from Kambo and its eager promotion. Use is likely to further increase and the self-appointed arbiters of Kambo sourcing and education, the IAKP, are manifestly ill prepared to manage present risks or to protect users.

Community education and adaptation of Harm Reduction strategies may likely prove beneficial in negating risk.