Doctors advised to avoid prescribing opioids for long-term pain due to lack of evidence

Dr Niamh O’Brien: 'Prescription opioids are really limited in the evidence base for using them in any way long-term.' Picture: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce

Doctors have been urged to avoid prescribing opioids for long-term pain by a GP specialist in addiction services who said there is little to no evidence it helps patients.

Drug addiction concerns often focus on illegal drugs, but the Irish Medical Organisation’s annual conference heard there is a wider range of risks.