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A BAN on home-based influenza tests could be lifted to allow Australians to use the world's first smartphone-based smartphone diagnosis from Brisbane.
Emergency nurse Sean Parsons has received support from global health giant Glaxo-SmithKline for his future influenza test, which is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States. United.
But Australians can not use the high-tech test because federal regulations prohibit self-testing for influenza.
Today, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked the Therapeutic Goods Administration to consider lifting the ban.
"The Minister has asked the TGA to review the existing regulations on self-test devices in order to ensure that consumers have the choice to use all clinically appropriate test methods for the flu and other infections, "said a spokesman for Mr. Hunt. Sunday mail.
Dr. Parsons has developed a new flu test that allows patients to self-diagnose by taking a nasal swab that is tested on site, with results being badyzed via a smartphone app within 10 minutes.
The results are faster than traditional laboratory pathology tests, which can take several days.
Dr. Parsons had this idea while he was working at the Emergency Department of Princess Alexandra and Wesley Hospitals in Brisbane during the 2009 Swine Flu Epidemic.
Ellume founder Sean Parsons
He has created a Brisbane-based research company, Ellume, which manufactures digital diagnostic devices to quickly and easily diagnose the flu.
"We would not be allowed to sell it in Australia because notifiable diseases can not be tested at home," said Dr. Parsons.
"The main goal for us is the approval in the US market, which is 50 times larger than the Australian market."
Australia is going through the worst flu season in a decade: 13,000 people in Queensland have been infected with the flu and at least 25 others have killed more than 25 this year.
More than 1,000 people in Queensland have been hospitalized for the flu, including 93 in intensive care.
A quick flu test would give more patients the opportunity to take antiviral drugs before becoming too sick and having to go to the hospital.
Home testing for notifiable infectious diseases, including influenza, has been banned in Australia since 2010.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration prefers that doctors order tests to ensure prompt treatment of patients.
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