Launching of the Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain survey report
This week Painaustralia is publicly releasing its report, Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain. The report details the first-hand experiences of consumers since the changes were introduced by the Australian Government in June 2020.
The survey, which spanned an eight-week period from December 2020 until February 2022 attracted over 1,800 respondents.
The main themes that emerged within our report were:
- the lack of access to alternative services available for people with chronic pain, in the absence of medication;
- difficulties in accessing medication; feelings of judgement and stigma;
- decreased quality of life; poorer mental health;
- increased visits to GPs and other health professionals resulting in increased and unwanted costs to consumers; and;
- the need for education and awareness campaigns for consumers and health professionals
Our report findings emphasise the underlying urgent need for alternative support and treatments for consumers and details the significant mental health impacts on chronic pain facing consumers – many of whom are increasingly distraught and uneasy when seeking medication or other options for treatment of their conditions.
As a result of this, we recommend:
- increased support for people living with chronic pain, including the creation of a dedicated helpline to address mental health and provide referrals to alternative pathways and support groups;
- additional funding for new items under the Medicare Benefits Scheme to give greater access to allied health services and group pain management programs;
- continuous and additional education and awareness campaigns to help reduce stigma and provide clear pathways to alternate treatments for consumers and health professionals.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the consumers who took the time to put in a response to our survey. You can read our report here.
Australia is the first country to have a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management
Health Minister Greg Hunt launched Australia's National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (The Action Plan) at Painaustralia's Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management event on 18 May 2021.
In a world first, the Action Plan will provide real impetus and practical support for the 3.4 million Australians living with chronic pain said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett.
“The National Strategic Action Plan is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain and every day face the challenges of accessing affordable and specialised pain treatment,” said Ms Bennett.
The Action Plan, which is now endorsed by all Australian governments, provides a pathway to improved pain awareness, support and treatment for people living with chronic pain.
Minister Hunt said the Action Plan was about providing people living with chronic pain a sense of hope and light and a way through.
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1 APRIL 2022
The majority of Australians enjoy good access to healthcare through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) which provides over 5,700 treatments or items for consumers by doctors and allied health professionals.
Unfortunately, the promise of universal health care for all Australians has gradually crumbled as we move further into the 21st century, with the growing burden of chronic disease eclipsing expectations of more positive health outcomes.
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Australia is the first country to have a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management
n a world-first, Australia now has a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (The Action Plan) which will provide real impetus and practical support for the 3.4 million Australians living with chronic pain said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett welcoming today’s launch by Health Minister Greg Hunt.
“The National Strategic Action Plan is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain and every day face the challenges of accessing affordable and specialised pain treatment,” said Ms Bennett.
“We thank Minister Hunt for his support of the Action Plan and launching it at today’s Painaustralia’s Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Group event.
“The Action Plan, which is now endorsed by all Australian governments, provides a pathway to improved pain awareness, support and treatment for people living with chronic pain.
“Hopefully, with the Action Plan now in place and supported by all governments, it will provide the priority that those who live in chronic pain need.”
E-News Issue #112
In this issue:
- A message from the Acting CEO
- Launching of the Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain survey report
- New Fact Sheet now available
- You are invited to our Annual General Meeting in May
- Consumer Advisory Group member Leah Dwyer, shares her experiences of tapering off opioids.
- Guest article – Parkinson’s Australia
Latest Submissions
- Submission to the Draft National Preventive Health Strategy Consultation from Painaustralia - April 2021 Download the submission
- Regulation to support Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) - from Painaustralia - March 2021 Download the submission
- Painaustralia Submission to the 2021-22 Federal Budget - Working together to address chronic pain - January 2021 Download the submission
- Painaustralia Submission to the 2020-21 Federal Budget - Supporting people with pain in these unprecedented times - August 2020 Download the submission
- Painaustralia’s Statement to the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management on medicinal cannabis - Painaustralia November 2020 Download the statement
- FEDERAL BUDGET 2020 - 21 SUMMARY - Painaustralia October 2020 Download the summary
- The Preventive Health Strategy Submission from Painaustralia September 2020 Download the submission
- PAIN AND COVID-2019 - The perfect storm that validates the need to fast track technology advances in pain assessment for vulnerable populations and their families by Dr Jennifer Abbey, AM, Carol Bennett, CEO, Painaustralia and Philip Daffas, CEO, PainChek September 2020 Download the paper
- NICE Chronic Pain Assessment and Management Guidelines to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence London UK from Painaustralia September 2020 Download the submission
LATEST NEWS
Dare 10/2021
...Carol Bennett, CEO of national advocacy
body Painaustralia, says more
than a million Australians over 65
are living with chronic pain – a rate that
is almost twice as high as the working age
population. “The most important issue is
ensuring people have good knowledge of
pain and how to manage it,” says Carol.
“And not just with medication but how to
manage pain in a holistic way, which is
more effective than just using medication...
Global Accessibility News 30/09/2021
Australia: Alliance Calls for Accessible Product Design.
The Accessible Product Design Alliance has released a statement calling for changes in products and packaging design to assure equal accessibility among consumers, including those with disabling disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Composed of 11 nonprofit health consumer organizations in Australia and New Zealand — including MS Australia — the alliance recognizes how difficulties with accessing packaged products can “cause day to day frustration for people without disability, but for those who have a chronic condition or a disability these products and packaging can become impossible,” according to a statement...
Short Black with Sandra Sully 28/09/2021
Sr Mary-Lynne Cochrane, Chair of Painaustralia's Consumer Advisory Group, was featured on the episode of the channel 10 podcast Short Black with Sandra Sully. Mary-Lynne shares her lived experience of chronic pain.
ABC Radio 14/09/2021
On 14 September 2021, Painauastralia CEO Carol Bennett spoke to Indira Naidoo on ABC Radio’s Afternoons about the obstacles some types of product packaging can present to those living with chronic pain, and promoted the push to create accessible packaging and products.
ABC News 14/09/2021
Push for more accessible packaging products
Painauastralia CEO, Carol Bennett spoke to ABC AM show’s presenter, Nas Campanella, about the obstacles some types of product packaging can present to those living with chronic pain, and promoted the push to create accessible packaging and products. Listen to the full interview here
ABC News 14/09/2021
We learned how the venom of a cone snail can be a potent painkiller when engineered to be put into a tobacco plant, allowing scientists to grow the pain killing medicine in plants by modifying DNA.
“Research like this that shows some promising early results, can actually help us provide some hope for the future” said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett.

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