THE ROLE OF AT-HOME CONSUMER DIAGNOSTICS INCREASES Saliva-based home pregnancy test arrives at Australian pharmacies
With
Dr Anita Sharma, GP
Platinum Medical Centre,
Brisbane
Michael Cima, CEO & Director
CC Supplies,
Byron Bay
SEGMENT
Filmed in Brisbane | March 2026
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer diagnostics have rapidly advanced, with more people becoming aware of and comfortable using at-home testing. These tests provide greater convenience, control, and empowerment, allowing individuals to monitor their health without immediately consulting a healthcare professional. Recently, this shift has been particularly impactful in areas such as pregnancy testing, where saliva-based diagnostics now enable earlier and more accessible detection.
According to Dr Anita Sharma, a Brisbane based GP at Platinum Medical Centre, traditional medical testing still plays an important role. Situations such as unclear symptoms, early-stage conditions with low detectable markers, or practical limitations—like insufficient saliva samples—may require confirmation through standard clinical methods. Additionally, many patients seek reassurance from healthcare professionals even after receiving positive at-home results, particularly when further care planning is needed.
As a result, the role of healthcare practitioners is evolving, according to Dr Sharma. Rather than acting solely as gatekeepers to testing, they are increasingly becoming interpreters and validators of patient-led diagnostics. According to Dr Sharma, GPs now focus more on guiding care, confirming results, and supporting patient decisions. To do this effectively, Dr Sharma states GPs must stay informed through continuous education, engagement with peers, and awareness of emerging diagnostic technologies and trends in healthcare.
Australian Health Journal also spoke with Michael Cima, CEO and Director of CC Supplies about the accessibility of consumer diagnostics and where women are able to choose how to test, have improved access and opt for privacy.
Source: Adapted from transcript
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Developing the nation’s first Health and Medical Research Strategy
Professor Steve Wesselingh serves as the CEO of NHMRC, having initially trained as an infectious diseases doctor. His career includes prominent roles such as Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Alfred Hospital, Director of the Burnett, Dean of Medicine at Monash University, and the inaugural Director of SAHMRI. Under his leadership, NHMRC plays a critical role in funding health and medical research, allocating approximately a billion dollars annually to investigator-led projects, clinical trials, and various strategic initiatives. NHMRC also collaborates internationally with organisations such as the MRC and the EU, and manages grant allocation for the MRFF, which distributes $650 million each year.
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Landmark brain shape study
For over a century, researchers have thought that the patterns of brain activity that define our experiences, hopes and dreams are determined by how different brain regions communicate with each other through a complex web of trillions of cellular connections.
Now, a Monash University Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health-led study has examined more than 10,000 different maps of human brain activity and found that the overall shape of a person’s brain exerts a far greater influence on how we think, feel and behave than its intricate neuronal connectivity.
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Sonia Marshall – South Western Sydney Local Health District
South Western Sydney Local Health District serves nearly 1 million people in a rapidly growing area of Sydney. Currently 250-300 families a week are moving into the region and with a growing population, the health district requires well executed strategy and delivery of healthcare to the population. Executive Director Sonia Marshall spoke with Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week in Sydney, on supporting staff and the community. Sonia highlights the mission of delivering Safe Quality Healthcare at all times. In-time patient feedback is important and the SWSLHD has implemented a system called “My Experience Matters” to give near immediate response from patients on their level of care, whilst they are still on site at the hospital. The aim of the initiative is to quickly identify bad experiences that could be rectified.
