ARLINGTON, Va. — For the 12th straight year, pharmacists continue to be rated near the top in Gallup’s annual Honesty and Integrity Survey.

In its poll released last month, pharmacists maintained their ranking in the second position — behind only nurses and tied with medical doctors. The survey measures the public’s trust of diverse professions, including but also well beyond health care.

“The survey results reflect the remarkable trust that patients continue to place in their pharmacists, and for strong and important reasons,” said National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. “Pharmacists are highly educated and highly accessible professionals within the health care delivery system. They are highly valued in neighborhoods across America, and particularly by those in the greatest need.”

Anderson said Gallup’s findings 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.

“Our research indicates strong trust in pharmacists on matters related to prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and personal health questions,” Anderson said. “Our 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.”

When asked to rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in various professions, 65% of those polled gave pharmacists a high or very high ­rating.

“Pharmacists are expertly trained, easily accessible and, as this survey affirms, trusted medication experts,” notes National Community Pharmacists Association president John Sherrer.