The right to health and international drug control, compulsory treatment for drug dependence and access to controlled medicines 2010, para. 43
Paragraph
Paragraph text
Palliative care is an approach that seeks to improve the quality of life of patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses through prevention and relief of suffering. Moderate to severe pain is a common by-product of these illnesses, including advanced malignancies, which require opioid analgesics for management. WHO lists these and other analgesics, as essential medicines. Between 60 to 90 per cent of patients with advanced cancer suffer from moderate to severe pain requiring such analgesia, and around 85 per cent of people living with HIV may have untreated pain. Where patients with HIV are also dependent on drugs, they may be denied access to both OST and palliative care. The consequences of chronic, untreated pain are not only physical: people experiencing chronic pain are four times more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Patients suffering from severe to moderate pain, where palliative care essentially is unavailable, said they would prefer to die than continue living with untreated, severe pain.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Equality & Inclusion
Health
Person(s) affected
All
Year
2010
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Health, Report to the UNGA (2010), A/65/255, para. 43.