That wild $15,000 BioCharger that Pete Evans claimed was a coronavirus treatment is now under investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) and look, probably a good call.
In case you missed it, Pete Evans (yep, the one who convinced your weird aunty to go paleo) one-upped himself earlier this week when he started flogging a strange blender-looking device known as a BioCharger on his website.
I no longer possess the words needed to describe how truly Pete Evans-esque this device is, so I’m just going to let the website speak for itself.
“The BioCharger NG is a hybrid subtle energy revitalisation platform. Four transmitted energies stimulate and invigorate the entire body to optimise and improve potential health, wellness, and athletic performance. The BioCharger NG is completely non-invasive, and has proven to restore strength, stamina, coordination and mental clarity,” the description on Pete Evans’ website reads.
In a now-deleted Instagram video, Evans discussed the product, calling it a “hybrid subtle energy revitalisation platform” that can apparently “optimise and improve potential health, wellness and athletic performance”.
If you’re keen to take the advice of a man who fucking loves staring directly at the sun and getting naked and bumping noggins with a horse, please wait for the TGA’s investigation before you drop $14,990 on an “energy revitalisation platform.”
I beg of you.
Especially if you’ve convinced yourself that you need one of these bad boy’s because Paleo Pete claimed it could help prevent coronavirus.
“It’s programmed with a thousand different recipes and there’s a couple in there for the Wuhan coronavirus,” Pete said in the video.
In what is probably a wise move, Advanced Biotechnologies have distanced themselves from Pete Evans’ wild claims in a recently released statement.
“Recent coverage points to the BioCharger as a cure or treatment to the novel coronavirus,” a statement from Advanced Biotechnologies, the company behind the BioCharger said.
“The BioCharger is not a medical device, and for that reason, Advanced Biotechnologies suggest that anyone seek medical attention from their primary care provider if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and all other diseases, infections and ailments; and follow guidelines put in place by your local governments including social distancing, strong personal hygiene, and contacting your primary care provider when experiencing any symptoms.”
Thankfully, the TGA have swiftly jumped on the case and are investigating whatever the hell this device actually is. Considering Pete’s claim that this device could potentially help protect you/cure you from coronavirus, they’ve warned that the product would need to fit the advertising standards required for therapeutic goods.
“The TGA will investigate the product you have referred and take action in relation to any illegal advertising of therapeutic products, including advertising on social media,” a Department of Health statement read, according to ABC.
“The TGA is monitoring non-compliance, particularly in relation to the advertising of products that claim to prevent or cure COVID-19.”
So there you have it folks, the BioCharger has absolutely not been proven as a preventative measure or a cure for the COVID-19 coronavirus. You can spend $15,000 on this science-fiction-looking contraption if you *really* want, but it’s not going to do anything to protect you from coronavirus (except maybe make your friends want to socially distance themselves from you).
If you think you may have coronavirus, either call your doctor (DON’T visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you’re struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
