AARP POLL FAVORS PHARMACISTS

AARP has been designated as a"Community Pharmacy Great Communicator"by the National Associationof Chain Drug Stores.

A recent AARP poll, reported in AARPBulletin (November 2007), showed thatpharmacists received outstanding"favorable" ratings among the respondents.The poll showed that 86% ofrespondents 50 and over, as well as78% of respondents younger than 50,had a positive opinion of pharmacists.Among those surveyed that were 50and over, pharmacists received thehighest favorable rating. The findingsare consistent with other research indicatingthat pharmacists are widely seenas among the most trusted health careprofessionals in the nation.

The Community Pharmacy GreatCommunicator program was created tohonor those who publicly highlight theimportance of community pharmacy.Pharmacists do more than just providepatients with medications. They alsooffer counseling to patients regardingdrug interactions, generic equivalents,and managing medication therapy.