Evaluation of Community Pharmacists' Professional Practice and Management of Patient's Respiratory Conditions.

Objectives: We assessed the extent of community pharmacists managing respiratory conditions and their ability to make differential diagnoses between the common cold and allergic rhinitis.

Methods: A simulated patient technique was used to achieve the study objectives. Thirty community pharmacies were randomized to be visited by a patient with allergic rhinitis symptoms, followed by a patient with common cold symptoms, and vice versa.