A Cork GP says investment is needed in alternative treatments such as physiotherapy to combat the rise in the use of opioid painkillers
A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology revealed there is a 50% increase in medication containing oxy-co-done which can be highly addictive.
Speaking to RedFM News Blackpool based Dr John Sheehan says the situation could also be eased if the long waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery and pain management clinics were tackled head-on
"if these were improved, I think it would reduce down the amount of opioids being prescribed. We also need to look at access to things like physiotherapy, which has been proven to have a huge impact in terms of pain medication. So if we can access the non pharmacological treatments much more for our patients. I think this will have a positive effect"
