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As seen in the April issue of Retail Pharmacy magazine. WHEN THE TRUTH HURTS BWy Peter Howard. ith pain medicines typically containing powerful and potentially addictive ingredients, the difficulty in accurately assessing pain can lead health professionals to be cautious when prescribing treatments. As a result, many in the community live with chronic pain. Today, leading pain advocacy body Painaustralia is working to improve the quality of life of these people, their families and their carers, and to minimise the significant social and economic burden of pain on individuals and the community. Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett tells Retail Pharmacy around 3.4 million people currently live with the daily impact of chronic pain in Australia. “With one in five Australians living with pain, it’s likely we all know someone directly affected,” she said. “For those living with pain, it impacts their relationships, their capacity to work, their productivity and their education. It affects everything and has a costly impact on the community, too, both economically and in social terms. Raising awareness It’s been five years since best-selling author and documentary producer Tara Moss injured her hip in a riding accident, and she has lived with almost constant pain during this time. Today, she’s a ‘pain champion’, working with Painaustralia to help to build a better understanding of pain within the community. Ms Moss addresses issues of discrimination, misunderstanding and stigmatisation, while speaking openly about the challenges she faces. “Pain in itself is a massive challenge to deal with on a daily basis,” she said. “It’s embodied. It affects energy, mood, impairment and ability. “On top of that, the fact that it’s invisible makes it hard for others to understand and respond to appropriately, whether they be colleagues, family, friends or health professionals. Among Painaustralia’s many initiatives is the recently formed Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Group, a non-partisan government group specifically focused on improving pain management in Australia. “Our goals include raising awareness and understanding that chronic pain is a real issue covering a broad range of conditions,” the group’s Co-chair, David Smith MP, told Retail Pharmacy. What can pharmacists do today? According to Ms Bennett, understanding multidisciplinary care, the holistic treatment of pain and how people can self-manage with the support of clinicians such as their pharmacist, is appreciably valuable. “Pharmacists can also do things on a practical level – for example, where people are experiencing debilitating pain and looking for options,” she said. “Patients might come into a pharmacy for an over-the-counter dose and if the pharmacist can share with them the options for a local pain service, it can make a real difference. “We’ve got a national pain services directory on our website showing a list of resources around the different pain conditions, what they are, and the different treatments. The PSA has also developed some really good resources. “For a pharmacist, it’s about knowing how to access these, and other options, at the point people are needing that help. It’s also knowing what these conditions are, and best practice management.” AS SEEN IN RETAIL PHARMACY 51 To read the full feature as it appears in the April issue of Retail Pharmacy magazine, visit: retailpharmacymagazine.com.au/ magazine Get things moving with our pain relief offer SAVE UP TO 35% RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021 THESE MEDICINES MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU. READ THE LABEL BEFORE PURCHASE. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. INCORRECT USE COULD BE HARMFUL. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. ASK YOUR PHARMACIST - THEY MUST DECIDE IF THIS PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU. To order contact your Sales Representative or call 1300 927 769 www.chemistsown.com.au Pricing available from 1 April to 31 May 2021. Turnover orders only. Minimum spend required. Terms and conditions apply.