"Please, do not make us suffer any more…"

Access to Pain Treatment as a Human Right

Executive Summary

Background: Pain in the World Today

Prevalence of Pain

The Impact of Pain

Pain Management: Elements, Effectiveness, Cost

Widespread Consensus: Pain Relief Medications Must Be Available

The Pain Treatment Gap

Pain Treatment, Palliative Care and Human Rights

Health as a Human Right

Pain Treatment and the Right to Health

Pain Treatment and the Right to Be Free from Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment

Obstacles to Provision of Pain Treatment and Palliative Care

Failure to Ensure Functioning and Effective Supply System..

Failure to Enact Palliative Care and Pain Treatment Policies

Lack of Training for Healthcare Workers

Excessively Restrictive Drug Control Regulations or Enforcement Practices

Fears of Legal Sanction

Cost

Breaking Out of the Vicious Cycle of Under-Treatment

Uganda

Vietnam..

Recommendations

To governments around the world

To global drug policy makers

To WHO, UNAIDS, and the donor community

To the global human rights community

Acknowledgements