PHARMACISTS RANK AMONG "MOST TRUSTED" FOR 27TH STRAIGHT YEAR

Although they can no longer claim thetitle of "America's most trusted profession,"the nation's pharmacists continue to rankamong the most highly regarded occupationalgroups in terms of honesty and ethics.A new Gallup Poll of >1000 Americans found that 73% ofrespondents rated "druggists/pharmacists" to be "high" or"very high" in the area of honesty and ethics. The rankingwas good enough to place pharmacists among the top 3most trusted occupational groups for the past 27 straightyears. For 2006, pharmacists were edged out only by nursesand placed slightly higher than veterinarians in terms oftrust.

Pharmacy's placement in the 2006 Gallup Poll did not gounnoticed by leaders of the profession. "Pharmacists continueto be among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals," said Bruce Roberts, RPh, executive vicepresident and chief executive officer of the NationalCommunity Pharmacists Association. "Pharmacists provetheir worth every day helping their patients choose and usethe correct medications," and, during 2006, they haveplayed "a pivotal role helping seniors navigate the newMedicare Part D prescription drug plan."