Painkillers should be renamed as pain-relievers to stop reliance on drugs, expert says

The term “painkiller” creates unrealistic expectations and should be banned, a government advisor has said.

Professor Jamie Coleman, an expert in pharmacology at Birmingham University, recommended that the term be replaced with “pain-reliever” instead.

Only 1 in 10 patients seeking help from long term pain benefit from strong painkillers. In Sunderland, a “painkillers don’t exist” campaign is being run to highlight the issue.

A report published by Public Health England has also warned of the rise of prescription drug addiction.

Mr Coleman told the BBC that he empathised with doctors who are often left with no alternative but to prescribe painkillers.

He added: “We are seeing more support being made available through social prescribing schemes, but there is a definite lack of alternatives for doctors.”

Dr Cathy Stannard, a consultant in pain medicine at NHS Gloucestershire said that UK doctors were “probably” over-prescribing painkillers to patients

“We probably do over-prescribe. GPs don’t have enough time to get to the bottom of what is wrong with patients.

“For some a painkiller will be life-changing, but for many it won’t work. 

“Pain can be related to grief, social isolation or mobility issues for example. Address those and you can make a difference to the pain.”