The use of pain medication, including potentially addictive opioids, has risen significantly in Ireland in recent years, new research shows.
The study, carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons, found that Irish people use more pain medication than patients in England.
It found the prescribing of pain medications in Ireland rose significantly between 2014 and 2022.
The use of opioids, including medicines like Codeine and Oxycodone, increased by about 25% over the period and prescriptions for paracetamol rose by 50%.
The study focused on patients in Ireland with a medical card, representing about 1.3 million people– and on data from all GP practices in England.
It found that for every 1,000 patients in 2022, over 1,200 prescriptions for opioids were issued.
In contrast, England experienced declining use across most classes of pain medications during this time.
Researchers say long waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery in Ireland, such as hip and knee replacements, could be to blame for the surge in prescriptions
They also say the study raised questions about healthcare access and the availability of non-drug options to manage pain
The study says that in England there is greater access to healthcare services, including pain clinics and more non-drug options such as physical therapy through the NHS.
They say there are not as many of these services Ireland could be contributing to a greater reliance on medication.
