The reliability and utility of spirometry performed on people with asthma in community pharmacies. Australian researchers assessed data from 2593 spirometry sessions performed by community pharmacists for 892 asthmatics within two large asthma intervention trials. There were three acceptable tests in 68.5% of sessions and at least one acceptable test in 96%. Acceptability was defined as meeting ATS/ERS guideline criteria. Around 40% had results indicating obstruction. As a result of the service, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC increased significantly in study participants, as did asthma control. Those who were referred to GPs had significantly worse spirometry results. The authors concluded that spirometry by pharmacists could be reliable and useful for a community asthma review. Burton DL et al. J Asthma. 2015 Jan 7:1-27 Read the publication: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25563059