05 June 2008
Dubai : Narcotic painkillers, such as opioids, should be made available for patients suffering from continuous pain that has no underlying medical cause, said health officials on Wednesday.
Strong painkilling drugs, many of which are derivatives of opiates, are classified as controlled substances under UAE law. Doctors can only prescribe them to patients who suffer from serious illnesses or conditions, such as cancer, trauma and genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia.
Professor Joseph Shokry Costandi, director of the pain clinic at Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah told the press at the launch of Relief, an awareness campaign on pain management, that a change in policies was needed to help many.
"Relief from pain is a human right," he said. Among the policy changes the group is looking for are a uniform standard for pain management, increasing the number of rehabilitation centres and decriminalising addiction to prescription painkillers.
By Nina Muslim
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
