Tech Refresher: Helping ease patients’ pain—and pharmacists’ workload

Some eight million people in Canada live with chronic pain, according to Pain Canada, a national initiative that connects sufferers with resources to improve care and support. Chronic pain affects one in five people—and that will only increase as the population ages. This type of pain persists or recurs, tends to last for longer than three months, and can have a significant impact on the physical, spiritual, social, mental and economic well-being of individuals living with it, as well as their families, says the Canadian Pain Task Force. Potential causes include arthritis, neurogenic (caused by nerve damage), back pain and fibromyalgia, while causes of acute pain—which may last minutes to several weeks—include blunt trauma, broken bones, surgery, dental work, childbirth, burns or cuts, and sprain or strain, notes Dr. Denise Kreutzwiser, pain management program pharmacist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ont.Read: Tech refresher: Techs ideally suited to conduct BPMHsAbdominal and pelvic pain, pain in the throat and chest, and back pain are among the most common causes of emergency department visits in Canada, jointly accounting for one-tenth of all visits, said Kreutzwiser in a Canadian Pharmacists Association webinar titled “Managing Acute Pain in the Community Setting.” Pharmacy technicians have an important role to play in helping patients suffering from pain. In a community pharmacy, patients may describe their pain to the first member of the team they interact with. In that case, the pharmacy technician should relay this information to the pharmacist, says Kreutzwiser. “Pharmacy technicians can help the pharmacist with data gathering,” she explains. “This may include helping to collect a best possible medication history, allergy and health history details, and what non-drug therapy strategies have been tried already.”Kreutzwiser adds that when compounded topical pain medications are pursued, “the pharmacy technician is well positioned to compound such products and assist with drug coverage/billing issues.”Some pain sufferers may choose to self-select over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and pharmacy technicians can help in this process. “Pharmacy technicians can assist patients by carefully observing when patients self-select over-the-counter medications that all contain acetaminophen, and flagging to the pharmacist that counseling may be needed to ensure the patient understands acetaminophen is present in the products, and the maximum amount that can be taken in one day,” says Kreutzwiser. “Pharmacy technicians can also inquire with patients self-selecting OTC products containing an NSAID if they are taking any prescription NSAIDs or other OTC NSAIDs, to ensure there is no accidental duplication of NSAID therapy.”Read: Crossing continents for career in CanadaChronic pain disproportionately affects seniors, people living in poverty, people living with mental health and substance use disorders, people working in the trades and transportation industry, veterans, Indigenous Peoples, certain ethnic and racialized communities, sexually and gender diverse persons, those who have experienced past trauma or violence, persons with disabilities, and women, says the Canadian Pain Task Force. “It is important pharmacy technicians recognize that people living with chronic pain often experience stigma, which can be further impacted if they also have a mental health condition, are part of a marginalized group, and/or use opioids or cannabinoid products,” says Kreutzwiser. “Promoting an inclusive environment in which the patient feels comfortable and safe is important. In addition, it is important pharmacy technicians recognize there is a connection between chronic pain and a history of adverse childhood experiences/trauma exposure; the development of a trusting therapeutic relationship cannot be overstated.”This article appeared in the April/May 2025 issue of Tech Talk. Find it and other Tech Talk issues here.

Tech Refresher: Helping ease patients’ pain—and pharmacists’ workload

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