The Report on Pain Relieving Drugs in 12 African PEPfAR Countries
Pain is a significant and distressing problem experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS. In order to adhere to the World Health
Organization's (WHO) pain ladder, it is essential that HIV care providers can access opioid analgesia for their patients. Although palliative care is defined by its multidimensional focus on physical, emotional and spiritual pain, the lack of access to opioids in Sub-Saharan Africa has been identified as a major challenge. This study
aimed to identify current opioid prescribing services and competent authorities within 12 PEPFAR countries, and to describe barriers to, and potential for, expansion in the number of opioid providers, for people with HIV/AIDS.
The study was carried out in conjunction with Dr Richard Harding from Kings College London and was funded by PEPFAR.
A PDF version of the report can be downloaded by clicking here.
For more information please contact info@apca.co.ug