Asians with asthma have higher hospital admission rates than whites without any evidence of increased asthma severity. There is limited information as to whether these differences are due to language or communication difficulties, variable knowledge and cultural attitudes to asthma or deficiencies of medical care. A qualitative study with 60 participants (12 participants with asthma for semi-structured interviews and 48 participants for focus groups) was designed to explore knowledge about asthma, attitudes, perceptions, health beliefs and health needs of those from Pakistan and India (South Asians). Overall, most of the patients with asthma were aware of the symptoms and trigger factors of asthma and were well informed about the 'reliever' and 'preventer' properties of their inhalers. They were also well informed about alternative/complementary therapies and were willing to try them should the treatment provided by their general practitioner (GP) fail to resolve their symptoms. Most were dissatisfied with the asthma care provided by their GPs e.g. delays in making the diagnosis and deficiencies in providing both verbal and written information on asthma. There was lack of awareness about self-management plans although when explained, the concept of self management was well received and there was approval for the concept of written action plans. All the focus group participants seemed to know something about asthma and amongst those with the condition (or with relatives with the condition), knowledge of the disease and its treatment seemed to be good. It was concluded that improved dissemination of written and verbal information on all aspects of asthma and increased awareness, training and support for adoption of written self-management (action) plans is needed to provide a more efficient and effective service for South Asian patients with asthma.