Millions of people in pain now able to access prescription-strength treatment without the need to see their GP
For the first time, people across the UK, including in the North East, who experience acute back, muscle and joint pain can bypass their GP to access a powerful prescription-strength pain relief treatment, in a move described as ‘game changing’ by pharmacists and pain experts.
The reclassification of the drug naproxen from a prescription medicine for acute musculoskeletal pain to an over-the-counter treatment available from high street pharmacies, is expected to give the public greater control over their health and help reduce GPs’ workload. A recent survey by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) found that almost three in four GPs (73 per cent) claim that workload pressures are compromising patient safety1; musculoskeletal pain currently accounts for around 30 per cent of GP consultations2 and more than seven million naproxen prescriptions are written for these conditions every year in England alone.3
The move means that naproxen is now available from pharmacies as Naprosyn® Pain Relief 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets. Not only is Naprosyn® Pain Relief the first over-the-counter pharmacy medicine for acute musculoskeletal pain to contain naproxen, but it is the first single-ingredient oral pain relief medicine available in high street pharmacies in more than a decade.4
Anna Maxwell, Founder and CEO of Maxwellia, the company behind the reclassification of naproxen and the launch of Naprosyn® Pain Relief, said: “Naprosyn® Pain Relief is a game-changing medicine for acute back, muscle and joint pain, giving patients more choice and control over how they manage their health for the first time in more than 40 years. For too long, the choice of active ingredients available over the counter for this type of pain has been relatively stagnant; by bringing naproxen, a proven, prescription-strength, opioid-free treatment to high street pharmacies for the first time, we can finally give people a new way to tackle pain and inflammation head-on, helping them get back to daily life without the disruption of short-term aches and pains.”
As a nation, the UK is aching for relief. Whether it’s a twisted ankle, a strained shoulder, or an aching back, musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking treatment in this country. Symptoms can have a significant impact on physical activity, daily life, quality of sleep and work ability, with over 30 million working days lost due to musculoskeletal conditions every year in the UK.2 With physical activity now at its highest ever level in the UK, more people are benefiting from exercise, but for some, it also brings a greater risk of injury.5
Meanwhile, a recent survey* conducted for Naprosyn® Pain Relief found that some of the top causes of everyday aches and pains included sitting at a desk or computer (56%), lifting heavy objects (51%) and physical activity (48%), with the lower back (64%) and knees (49%) being the most common sites of discomfort.
Sukhi Basra, pharmacist and Vice Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “To have Naprosyn® Pain Relief available as a pharmacy medicine is a breakthrough for the many people suffering from acute back pain, sprains, and strains. It’s a powerful medicine that is known to be highly effective and well-tolerated as a pain medication and provides patients with another much-needed option to help them take control of their pain. I have no doubt that this is a game-changing medicine for treating short-term musculoskeletal pain and it is excellent news that we, as pharmacists, can now recommend it as an over-the-counter medicine.”
Naproxen, the active ingredient in Naprosyn® Pain Relief, is a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It offers dual-effect relief, targeting both pain and inflammation, and can provide powerful lasting relief for up to 12 hours with just one dose.6,7,8 By reducing the chemical messengers that cause inflammation, naproxen addresses the five hallmark signs — pain, swelling, redness, heat and loss of movement; helping people return to their normal activities quickly.6,7,8
The launch of Naprosyn® Pain Relief reflects the mission of Maxwellia, the UK’s only dedicated medicine “switching” company, to empower people to take control of their health by making proven, effective prescription medicines available over the counter.
Naprosyn® Pain Relief is indicated for adults aged 18–50 for the relief of acute conditions characterised by pain and inflammation of the muscles and joints, such as sprains and strains, sporting injuries, lower back pain, neck pain, or pain in the wrists or feet, and is available to buy now in Boots stores and high street pharmacies nationwide.9
Naprosyn® Pain Relief 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets. Naproxen. Always read the label. To learn more, visit naprosynpainrelief.com.
