Each group consists health professionals with a special interest in asthma. Members come from across Australia and represent a wide range of professional experience and expert knowledge.

We are indebted to the dedicated health professionals who volunteer their time and expertise as members of these Groups.

General Practitioners' Asthma Group

The General Practitioners’ Asthma Group (GPAG) principally aims to co-ordinate the expertise, enthusiasm and skills of general practitioners who have a special interest in the management of asthma.

GPAG was formed in the early 1990s, soon after the NAC was established. Since 2008, it has also acted as the GP advisory group of the Australian Lung Foundation.

GPAG welcomes expressions of interest and input. Please contact us via email to nac@nationalasthma.org.au

Objectives

• To provide a coordinated general practitioner input on the management of asthma to other asthma stakeholder groups
• To conduct Australia-wide research at a general practice level on the prevalence and management of asthma
• To develop a network of general practitioners with a special interest in asthma
• To establish links between the GPAG committee and national and international primary care organisations.

Functions

• To help in the coordination and dissemination of new technology and information to general practitioners in a format applicable to their needs
• To influence hospital specialists in the production of protocols and guidelines for the management of asthma.
• To provide general practitioners with up-to-date information from general practice colleagues working in the field of asthma.
• To see ultimately an improvement in the delivery of care to patients with a subsequent reduction in the burden experienced by patients with asthma.

Membership

GPAG members are GPs with a keen interest in asthma from around Australia.

Reporting

The GPAG reports, through its Chairperson, to the Board.

Pharmacists' Asthma Group

The Pharmacists' Asthma Group (PAG) principally aims to co-ordinate the expertise, enthusiasm and skills of pharmacists who have a special interest in the management of asthma.

PAG welcomes expressions of interest and input. Please contact us via email to nac@nationalasthma.org.au

Functions

• To support the objectives of the NAC
• To provide opportunities and advice for the NAC to liaise effectively with pharmacy.
• Through the National Asthma Council, provide leadership on asthma management issues in pharmacy.
• To coordinate active developments in asthma management in pharmacy.

Membership

The members are community pharmacists from around Australia with an interest in asthma, plus representation from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia.

Reporting

The Pharmacists’ Asthma Group reports through its Chairman to the Board.

Guidelines Committee

The Guidelines Committee is currently working on the development of the new edition of the Asthma Management Handbook, the Australian national asthma treatment guidelines. This new edition, the seventh, is due for publication in late 2012.

First published in 1989 and now in its sixth edition, the National Asthma Council Australia's Asthma Management Handbook continues to set the standard for best-practice asthma management in primary care.

A collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort, development of the Handbook involves more than 70 leading health professionals dedicated to asthma.