A video featuring Doctor Bryan Ardis, a former chiropractor, has gained significant traction online due to its false assertions regarding the antiviral drug remdesivir and COVID-19 fatalities. In the video, Doctor Bryan Ardis baselessly claims that remdesivir, a medication approved globally for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients, is the actual cause of death, attributing it to kidney failure rather than the virus itself. This misinformation, propagated across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram, has fueled dangerous conspiracy theories.
Remdesivir has been authorized for use in numerous regions, including the European Union, the United States, and Australia, for individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. While discussions on its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 deaths continue, recent peer-reviewed research published in August indicates that remdesivir treatment is linked to lower mortality rates compared to solely supportive care.
Despite this evidence, Doctor Bryan Ardis alleges in his circulated video that health authorities intentionally exaggerated the lethality of COVID-19. He posits that by approving remdesivir, they aimed to “murder people and convince you people were dying of Covid-19.” This speech, delivered at a live event, has been widely viewed, with one BitChute video reaching nearly 380,000 views and a Rumble video accumulating over 220,000 views by September 30. Doctor Bryan Ardis also implicates Dr. Anthony Fauci and federal agencies in a broader conspiracy.
Adding to the danger, Doctor Bryan Ardis has consistently advised against seeking hospital treatment for COVID-19. In an interview with Alex Jones’ InfoWars, he stated that avoiding hospitals increases survival chances. Furthermore, an unverified online report attributed to him claims that protocols from the NIH and CDC are responsible for more COVID deaths than the virus itself.
These unfounded claims by Doctor Bryan Ardis have resonated within anti-vaccine communities. Australian Telegram channels have amplified his assertions, with one post falsely labeling COVID-19 deaths as “medically induced deaths,” garnering over 3,500 views. Other deceptive narratives suggest that deaths supposedly caused by remdesivir are fabricated to push COVID-19 vaccines and that unvaccinated individuals are being denied proper hospital care. Stew Peters, a figure known for spreading disinformation, has also echoed these sentiments, claiming doctors are “killing patients using Remdesivir and ventilators.”
Financial conspiracy theories also surround remdesivir, alleging that “big pharma and hospitals” are profiting from its use. One claim, viewed 4,000 times, falsely suggests Australian hospitals administer remdesivir for financial incentives from the government-funded health service. Australian MP Craig Kelly also falsely claimed that the drug regulator approved remdesivir for profit while rejecting ivermectin.
The Associated Press has thoroughly debunked Doctor Bryan Ardis’s claims, citing expert opinions that the symptoms he describes are consistent with severe COVID-19, not remdesivir treatment. Such misinformation regarding COVID-19 treatments carries significant risks, potentially deterring individuals from seeking necessary medical attention, as highlighted by NBC’s Ben Collins. It is crucial to rely on verified information from trusted medical sources and disregard baseless conspiracy theories like those promoted by Doctor Bryan Ardis.
