Purpose “Controllers-to-total asthma drug” ratios computed from claims data identify asthmatics at risk of exacerbations. Direct link of ratios to data obtained from patients, such as control and recent outcomes, would facilitate their interpretation. We studied the relationship between R1 ratio (inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/total anti-asthma drug ratio) and the Asthma Control Test. Comparisons were also conducted for secondary outcomes (asthma-related hospital contacts, monthly medical contacts, use of oral corticosteroids, and perception of disease burden). Results with R1 ratio were compared with those obtained with a second ratio, “ICS-plus-leukotriene receptor antagonist/total asthma drug” (R2 = ICS + leukotriene receptor antagonist/total anti-asthma drugs). Methods A survey was conducted in community pharmacies. Patients visiting with a prescription of anti-asthma drug and ≥12 months of drug dispensing recorded in the pharmacy were consecutively recruited. Dispensing data were linked to patient-reported outcomes. Asthma control and secondary outcomes were compared for both ratios between low-controller-ratio (R