TWNS PCN

Opioids are painkillers and their use has been increasing in England (see paper). Although opioids provide effective analgesia for acute pain and in palliative care, there is little evidence of benefit for long-term opioids in most patients with persistent non-cancer pain, in terms of pain, quality of life or functioning, and they can have serious side-effects. These measures relate to the use of opioids and can be used to openly audit prescribing. More resources for reviewing prescribing are available at the Opioids Aware project.

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