Panda's Nick Hudson opposes SA’s vaccination plan. What he hasn’t said is that his company makes alternative medicines

First published by GroundUp.

One of the most outspoken local Covid-19 vaccine sceptics has a direct business interest in a locally produced alternative medicine.

Nick Hudson is the chairperson of Pandemics Data & Analytics, better known as Panda. Although Hudson denies that Panda is anti-vaccination, many articles the group has published make incorrect claims about Covid vaccines and dissuade people from getting vaccinated, contradicting public health advice.

Instead, the group advocates for unproven treatments for Covid, like ivermectin, and disproven treatments, like hydroxychloroquine. Recently Panda has begun calling for research into “nutraceuticals” — a popular type of medicine in the alternative health industry — for treating Covid.

Hudson is a director of a nutraceutical manufacturing company called Brenn-O-Kem.

Ironically, Hudson and Panda frequently claim that scientists and science reporters who receive funding from the Gates Foundation or Open Society Foundation (OSF) have conflicts of interest. Panda and Hudson have been feeding conspiracy theories that Bill Gates and George Soros (the billionaire funder of OSF) have nefarious interests in Covid. (GroundUp receives funding from OSF.)

Panda promotes the use of alternative treatments, rather than population-wide vaccine adoption, to combat Covid. In an article published on the Panda website on 20 September the authors write:

“It has been publicly stated that the response, ‘poured billions of dollars into ventilator production and new drug and vaccine development, but spent virtually nothing on research and trials using existing drugs and nutraceuticals.’” (Here Panda favourably quotes Ron Johnson, a US Republican Senator who has adopted an anti-vaccine stance.)

Then: “… there exist a variety of nutraceuticals, such as Vitamin D, that enhance immune response without generating any side effects.”

Later in the article nutraceuticals are given a fuller promotion as a treatment for Covid, though the article does also advocate for medicines that have been proven effective, such as dexamethasone.

Panda Knowledge Factory has three directors: Hudson, Peter Castleden (former head of Sanlam Indie), and Shayne Krige (co-head of Investment Funds & Private Equity at law firm Werksmans).

Besides being the chairperson of Panda, Hudson is the organisation’s most outspoken member. He has no scientific training beyond his qualifications as an actuary.

Hudson, like George Soros, is an investor, and his primary vehicle in this regard is a company called Sana Partners. Sana Partners has four major equity investments: Artemis Holdings, which is the local distributor of Crocs, Birkenstock, and Under Armour; EnergyDrive Systems, which installs energy-saving systems for heavy industry; Mine Support Products, which provides roofing and support for mines; and, Brenn-O-Kem, a Wolseley-based wine waste processing business.

Contacted by GroundUp, Hudson said he was simply a director of Sana private equity. But Hudson is one of seven directors of Brenn-O-Kem, having taken up this position in June 2020, a few months after he began making public pronouncements on Covid. He also denied any knowledge of one of the products manufactured by Brenn-O-Kem which are described as nutraceuticals. The Brenn-O-Kem website contains claims that these products, which include Rooibos tea, Green Rooibos, Devil’s Claw and Grape Leaf, can treat various diseases, including diabetes and arthritis.

Grape Seed Extract, described as “a very powerful antioxidant”, is packaged according to the Brenn-O-Kem website in two brands, Waverley Hills-branded “Organic Grape Seed Extract” (this is not present on the Waverley Hills website), and Oxiprovin. Oxiprovin is sold at pharmacies, including Clicks, for R100 for 60 pills. Oxiprovin’s website states: “Our Grape Seed Extract is produced by Brenn-O-Kem”.

An advert on the Oxiprovin Facebook page. (Image: Supplied by GroundUp)