19 April 2024
Findings from a new research study published today in the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)’s Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) highlight that less than half, only 48.5% of fibromyalgia patients are using evidence-based medication to address symptoms and manage chronic pain flare-ups.
Researchers examined medical chart records of 474 fibromyalgia patients across a three-and-a-half-year period (January 2019 – June 2022), and found that:
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Only 48.5% of patients were using one or more evidence-based medical therapeutics to manage symptoms, while over half, 51.5% were not.
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A majority of patients, 87.3%, were taking some form of medication to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
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Over three-quarters of patients, 76.9%, were taking potentially ineffective over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol to help provide symptom relief (this figure also includes patients who were using over-the-counter medicines along with evidence-based drugs).
According to estimates, approximately 3% - 5%, or over as many as one million Australians, are currently living with fibromyalgia [1].
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic pain, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration and insomnia among others [2].
Dr. Zachary Warren, the lead researcher of the study, said that the high costs of evidence-based prescription pharmaceuticals prevent many fibromyalgia patients from accessing them thereby forcing a significant chunk to rely on over-the-counter medication.
“Accessing evidence-based pharmaceuticals that can help address and manage fibromyalgia symptoms can be very expensive and unaffordable for patients.
“None of the evidence based drugs are currently subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), meaning that patients have to buy them at full price should they wish to access them.
“There is broad consensus amongst the medical community that while fibromyalgia patients benefit significantly from non-pharmacological strategies, evidence-based medicines play a vital role in providing them with much-needed pain relief.
“However, accessing evidence-based pharmaceuticals remains unaffordable for many fibromyalgia patients, leaving them to rely on potentially ineffective over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol.
“Fibromyalgia is a serious, chronic condition that can be highly disabling for many patients, and can cause widespread, debilitating pain.
“While over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol can help in some cases, they cannot be relied upon on their own.
“And currently less than half of fibromyalgia patients have access to the evidence-based drugs they require to adequately manage their symptoms including pain.
“Improving the affordability of scientifically proven drugs such as Amitriptyline, Duloxetine and Pregabalin, will enable a greater majority of fibromyalgia patients to access them.
“Getting these drugs added to the PBS will make them more affordable for a significant percentage of patients, and will help ensure that costs are not a barrier for patients wanting to access them,” Dr. Warren said.
[1] Fibromyalgia Australia
[2] Better Health Victoria – Fibromyalgia