Asthma strategy launch

THE Department of Health has launched a new National Asthma Strategy in a bid to better manage both the health and economic impacts of the common respiratory disease in Australia.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the plan in Melbourne yesterday, outlining five objectives that he says will aid in improving healthcare resource allocation across all levels of government.

The plan will also provide an additional $1 million to develop a new asthma support program in schools which is slated to include support for face-to-face training for teachers and information for kids via the “Kiss my Asthma” app.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) was an active player in helping to formulate the strategy and says it supports the principles that underpin the new approach.

“PSA supports the objectives of self-management, best practice asthma care, integration of the health system, supportive community environments, and improved research, evidence and data,” said PSA national president Dr Shane Jackson.

“The PSA also looks forward to working jointly on programs that support health professionals including pharmacists to promote best practice asthma care”.

The new initiative was developed by the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) in partnership with Asthma Australia and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

To view the National Asthma Strategy in full, CLICK HERE.