Pharmacists continue to top annual Gallup Poll as trustworthy professionals

Pharmacists have maintained their position as the most highly esteemed professionals, according to Gallup's most recent annual survey, conducted Dec. 2-15, 2019.

In fact, the poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans called pharmacists’ honesty and ethical standards “very high or high.”

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores urged federal and state government officials to see the findings as yet another call to leverage pharmacies more completely for patient health, and to reverse unfair pharmacy reimbursement practices that are jeopardizing patients’ access to care.

“This latest Gallup survey is yet another important data point. Patients trust pharmacists and rely on their accessibility. Studies show that patients are more likely to do the things that keep them healthy when they have access to pharmacists and pharmacies. Studies also show the link between fair reimbursement policies, forward-thinking policies that improve access to pharmacy services, and improved patient health. Together, we have built success stories that benefit patients,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson.

Anderson continued, “However, right now there are dire examples playing out of extremely flawed and unfair policies. They are threatening pharmacy access. These include direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR fees, broader examples of forcing pharmacies to fill prescriptions below-cost, and other extremely damaging and unworkable policies. They also include unwarranted barriers to pharmacy care that is valued by patients. These issues need to be addressed urgently. It is a matter of fairness to pharmacies and to patients alike.”