European experts meet to push for improved pain management

Since 2010, improving European pain management has been the key objective of the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) lobby group. On 14-15 May 2013, the SIP’s annual meeting will continue its mission of raising international awareness of the impact of pain. The meeting, hosted by the EU Economic & Social Committee and the EU Parliament in Brussels, will be centred on two main topics:

• The objective of SIP Focus Group 1 will be to develop and agree upon a set of indicators for chronic non-malignant pain management.

• SIP Focus Group 2 will aim to develop a ‘Proposal for Action’ for reintegrating chronic pain patients returning back to work.

‘It is important to make chronic pain visible as a medical, economical and societal disease. Chronic pain has a big influence on someone’s daily life, working life and family life.’ Explains Professor Hans Georg Kress, President of the European Federation of IASP® Chapters (EFIC®). ‘We want to make sure that politicians and policy-makers in Europe and in the member states are aware of the societal impact of chronic pain. Therefore, the outcomes of both focus groups shall give concrete suggestions on how we can effectively change pain management and thus improve the quality of life for our patients.’

Created in 2010 as a joint initiative of the European Federation of IASP® (International Association for the Study of Pain) Chapters (EFIC®) and the pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH, the SIP facilitates the exchange of pain management information and practices across Europe. By promoting the adoption of common strategies and activities amongst member countries, the SIP continues its work towards achieving better standards of pain management within the EU.

For more information and for details of the outcomes of these meetings, please contact

Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Platform
Tel: +49 241 569 1878
Fax: +49 241 569 5 1878
Email: sip‐platform@grunenthal.com
www.sip-platform.eu

or

European Federation of IASP® Chapters
Medialaan 24
1800 Vilvoorde – Belgium
Tel: +32 2 251 55 10
Fax: +32 2 251 48 10
Email: secretary@efic.org www.efic.org