My Letter to British Pain Society.
Mr Bhaskar. I read with intent your articles on Opioid analgesics. Firstly may I add. I am currently in the process of starting legal action against the MHRA and their guidance published a few months ago regards to the prescribing of these particular. As a carer who has seen my Mother and Father have these drugs removed from them and their repeat prescriptions in the last few months. My Mother and Father both have chronic debilitating illnesses.They will not improve. My, and others (Change.Org) believe that this is a travesty of justice. I speak for more than myself. The problem is not with the Opioid analgesics. The problem is with who is taking them, how much they are taking, and why. Our GPS wanted too keep them on Co Codamol however, they say their hands are tied. This is wrong. My parents, along with thousands of the nation, are being automatically switched to Gabapentin or Tricyclic anti-depressant the majority (Without) consultation. I always notice scaremongering factors before these articles and comments are made. Task forces sent out. The National office of Statistics and so on. Patients on 6/8 Co Codamol tablets are not going to overdose and die. To believe this is nonsense. My parents who are almost 80 years old are NOT getting the pain relief they did when prescribed Co Codamol and Tramadol. Opioid have been used since the 19th century for pain so I contest the argument too which is circulating that "they don't really work". If dependency in chronic pain, which will blight them for life develops, then I'm content the benefit outweighs the risk.
We cannot all afford the amount of money which your facility deems necessary for treatments and prescribing of medicines. This is why GPs/Specialists in the NHS are the majorities first port of call. I cannot instruct you what to say in your beliefs however, I would ask you to take the time to look at thousands of the British public in similar circumstances as my parents. And the last 7 months has not been easy regards to the switch in medication. So please think of the bigger picture. Fully informed patients who have been successfully treated with Opioid analgesics are being caught in the middle (again) to, safe to say, abusers of this group of medicines.