Pharmacists held in high regard

NEW YORK — Pharmacists rank second when it comes to honesty and ethical values, behind only nurses, according to an annual Gallup poll.

Of those surveyed, two-thirds rated pharmacists with a very high or high grade, while only 8% gave pharmacists a low or very low score.

“The rating that pharmacists earned in this annual Gallup survey is built on established pharmacist-patient relationships in neighborhoods throughout the nation. The takeaway for policymakers is that the pharmacist-patient relationship has tremendous potential to do even more to improve patient health and well-being, along with the overall quality and affordability of healthcare,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. 

Nurses received a very high or high grade from 84% percent of those surveyed, with only 3 percent giving them a negative rating. Nurses have ranked No. 1 on the list every year but once since 1999.

Medical doctors ranked third on the survey, followed by engineers and dentists.

“We commend community pharmacists across the country on their impressive showing in the latest Gallup survey of Americans’ views of honesty and ethical standards. People continue to hold pharmacists in very high regard. In this survey covering 22 professions, pharmacists are the second most trusted,” said B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association. “It is time for payers and policymakers to better utilize the accessibility, expertise and public trust in pharmacists. NCPA will carry that message into 2017 as health care reform efforts accelerate and the shift toward a value-based care system continues.”

On the flip side, members of Congress ranked last on the list, with only 8% giving them a high grade. Car salespeople ranked second from the bottom on the survey.