Chronic pain placing ‘significant economic burden’ on country

CHRONIC pain is a major health issue and is placing a “significant economic burden” on the country with up to 36% of adults suffering, a report has said.

The report, entitled Pain Proposal, says chronic pain is estimated to cost the economy as much as €2.5 billion per annum and calls for it to be afforded the same resources as other major conditions in order to deliver cost savings and better patient outcomes.

Recent cost studies show the average cost of chronic pain exceeds €6,000 per patient annually.