Musculoskeletal pain is everywhere. The stiff neck after a bad night’s sleep. The low back pain that won’t quit. The knee that’s never been the same since “that one time.” For many patients, the pharmacy is the first stop for relief, putting pharmacists right at the centre of pain management conversations every day.
But managing musculoskeletal pain isn’t what it used to be. New evidence, evolving guidelines and expanding pharmacist scope are changing the playbook. Pharmacists play an important role in helping patients navigate treatment options, use analgesics safely and recognise when referral or further assessment is needed.
This session focuses on what pharmacists need to know when faced with real musculoskeletal pain presentations. From choosing appropriate treatment options to identifying when something isn’t quite right, explore how pharmacists can provide clear, evidence-based advice and play a key role in supporting better pain management outcomes.
Learning objectives:
• Identify common musculoskeletal pain presentations encountered in pharmacy practice
• Recognise features of musculoskeletal pain that require referral
• Discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological management options for musculoskeletal pain
Competency standards (2016): 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6
