Pharmacists Rank Second in Gallup Integrity Survey, Earn Top-Three Placement for 12th Straight Year

PRESS RELEASE

Arlington, Va. -

Gallup released its annual Honesty and Integrity Survey today, and pharmacists maintained their ranking in the second position - behind only nurses and tied with medical doctors.

The survey measures the public¹s trust of diverse professions, including but also well beyond healthcare.

³The survey results reflect the remarkable trust that patients continue to place in their pharmacists, and for strong and important reasons,² said National Association of Chain Drug Stores President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. ³Pharmacists are highly educated and highly accessible professionals within the healthcare delivery system. They are highly valued in neighborhoods across America, and particularly by those in the greatest need."

Anderson said Gallup¹s findings in many ways reflect the results of annual opinion research commissioned by NACDS ­ a national survey of likely voters who are informed and engaged when it comes to current events.

³Our research indicates strong trust in pharmacists on matters related to prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and personal health questions,² Anderson said. ³Our research also shows that, in addition to relying on pharmacists to help them use medicines safely, patients are supportive of innovative pharmacy services that can do even more to improve patient health and quality of life.²

The exact question asked by Gallup is as follows: ³Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields ­ very high, high, average, low or very low?² For pharmacists and medical doctors, 65-percent said ³very high² or ³high.² Eighty percent rated nurses ³very high² or ³high.²

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NACDS represents traditional drug stores and supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS¹ 115 chain member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ nearly 3.3 million individuals, including 179,000 pharmacists. They fill over 2.9 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 800 supplier partners and 60 international members representing 22 countries. For more information, visit

www.NACDS.org.