Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
UP TO ONE in three Irish adults may be suffering from chronic pain, while addiction to pain relief medicines is a massive concern in Ireland, pharmacists have warned.
Catriona O’Riordan, a pharmacist from Cork and National Pharmacy Conference (IPU) executive committee member, spoke at the IPU’s annual conference in Galway at the weekend.
O’Riordan noted:
Chronic pain does not command significant attention but it is a debilitating condition, which can seriously affect the quality of life of a sufferer.
She continued that pharmacists have to be “sensitive to the risk that a patient may become dependent or even addicted to pain relief medication”.
Dr David O’Gorman, Consultant Pain Specialist at University College Hospital and director of the Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway, said that pain management “affects patient satisfaction, quality of life and health care costs”.
He said that pharmacists:
should not underestimate the impact their approach has on all three of these influences when a patient presents for advice on the most appropriate form of pain relief for their symptoms.
Codeine use
In August 2010, new regulations under the Pharmacy Act 2007 were introduced around the sale of codeine products. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the pharmacy regulator, explained that safety concerns around the misuse of non-prescription medicinal products containing codeine were “well established” (PDF).
Codeine is a narcotic analgesic and if people consume it in excess of the recommended dose they can become tolerant or dependant on it, and may have withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it, said the PSI.
It said that consumption of quantities over the recommend dose also carries the risk of other adverse effects. There is also a risk to consuming excessive quantities of ‘combination’ products containing codeine and paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen.
Pharmacists were advised that the pharmacist should only supply non-prescription ‘combination’ products when they are satisfied that the medicine “is the most appropriate therapy available at the time” and in the best interest of the patient.
Products such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen “should be used first in line with pain protocols” while codeine-containing medicinal products should be supplied as ‘second line’ products.
Pharmacists were told they have to fully advise patients of the correct use and the risks contained in using the non-prescription product containing codeine.
Cardiovascular screening
The conference also heard that pharmacists were warning of a rise in heart disease, which is now responsible for more than a third – 36 per cent – of all deaths in Ireland. Pharmacists said that the country “is facing a crisis in heart disease” and called on the Government to introduce a national cardiovascular screening service.
The IPU said its members were “willing and able” to front an extensive nationwide screening campaign for cardiovascular disease.
Bernard Duggan, a Dublin pharmacist and chairman of the Community Pharmacy Committee, told the conference that around 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease, which also causes 22 per cent of premature deaths.
Duggan said that screening for heart disease and other chronic diseases through pharmacies “could directly reduce the number of deaths from heart disease each year in Ireland.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Unions… the bane of Ireland and our public sectors
@john Appleseed: Sure and we should replace them with bankers and bondholders and all of our problems would be solved overnight.
@Charles Williams: so bankers are a bunch of crooks so therefore we should accept our unions are a bunch of crooks too? Whataboutery at its finest
@john Appleseed: You’re thinking of governments
7.4%….and they even have to think twice about taking it? Most people would bite your hand offf for that sort of rise.
The real problem in the Health Service is the Union mentality. Old fashioned Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 mentality with not a finger lifted unless explicity written down on some contract. The Unions are the reason the health service is in such a state.
@Fred Jensen: nurses only work 9-5 Mon to Fri!!! Who is running the A&E Depts outside of those hours?
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
A skeleton crew. It’s not just nurses, its all the other staff.
@Fred Jensen: There is a reason for “not lifting a finger before it is written in a contract”. It’s called reneging on a deal. Something the Government are quite good at.
@Fred Jensen: but but but you said they are 9-5 Mon to Fri…no you say different…did you lie?
@Fred Jensen: The HSE management is the reason the health service is in such a state.
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Where did Fred say nurses only work 9 to 5? Try reading the post correctly before getting your knickers in a twist
@Fred Jensen: I Think Your Mixing Up Porter’s With Nurses
@Fred Jensen: Up to 7.4%. Most won’t get that. We can’t keep nurses in this country because we expect superhuman efforts for crap pay. It’s time nurses were respected and paid accordingly.
@Nick Allen: you read the post again…fool
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Those knickers are getting even more twisted. Take a deep breath and read it slowly and it may sink in.
@Piarais Mac Maoláin:
Yes Fred changed the topic slightly but it is still somewhat related. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he refereed to the HEalth Service and not nurses. Furthermore, he didn’t even say they anyone worked 9 to 5, he said it was the 9 to 5 attitude.
Mary Lou completely misread the post and jumped in accusing him of tell lies. She saw and opportunity to have a pop at someone and got her knickers in a twist and got it all wrong. She should either take in on the chin and say sorry or run and hide. Instead the silly girl comes back and suggests I am the fool and that I should read it again. Some people just never learn
@Nick Allen: you have some weird dyslexic fetish.
@Piarais Mac Maolàin: It’s the same for carers in nursing homes & they get crap pay even though they do the bulk of looking after residents. I don’t hear anyone up in arms over it.
@Caroline Reddy: Why should nurses be respected?
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Another stupid comment. Do you really find it amusing to make a joke of people with dyslexia? Face the facts, you screwed up and are now making a mess of trying to get out of it. Read Fred’s comment again and tell me where is said nurses work 9 to 5. Maybe you are not getting your knickers in a twist, maybe you’re just a bit dim and don’t have the ability to understand the comment.
@Piarais Mac Maoláin: my shift is 07:30 Am to 08:30pm… don’t forget those Haddington Road Hours we don’t get paid for! Many would give up that pay rise than have to come in an extra day a month for no pay!!! Great way to get work out of us
Time for nurses to stand firm and not be sold out by INMO again.What a disaster of a union
@John Mcloughlin:
I agree the union are a disaster but what are you suggesting the nurses should do? Stand firm for a greater increase?
Scurrilous when newly qualified nurses have to work for minimum wages in their first year when they can go to the likes of Canada, are appreciated and earn $45000
Union leaders who get full pay and more, recommend that workers settle for far less then normal wage. Nice.
@Patabake Kennedy: Union leaders don’t want members going on strike as they will have to give back some of their subscriptions.
Nevermind restoration. Give them an overall increase. Not all heroes wear capes but plenty wear scrubs. No one in favour of reducing their pay has spent time in their care. Invest in them, attract the best and reap the rewards in improved care and confidence.
Was the patient safety issue discussed, patients on trollys, overcrowding.
@@mdmak33: All the above are not the fault of the nurses. They don’t make policy. They can only make the best of what they are given.
Again the union turning its back on the nurses every time there is a chance of extra money for the nurses and the nurses need a good increase as they have been run over by the union time after time..Plenty of money for other front line workers but very little for the front line nurses
“Union recommends nurses don’t recieve back pay”. Bit of a obvious headline.
Liam is looking to feather his own retirement nest. More the fools if the members listen to him.
An absolute disaster of a union, only has members as they run the income protection insurance scheme. Liams wages have skyrocketed over the last 10 years, his members wages have fallen behind all front line professionals, bigger fools them, if they wont pay what your worth, walk out.
have your say