The Cost of Opioid-Induced Constipation – Strategies for Change Webinar

This webinar was recorded on Wednesday 5 October 2022.

Opioids are widely used to treat serious pain, including in patients with cancer. With nearly 23 million opioid analgesic prescriptions dispensed in the community in 2021⁽¹⁾ and up to 57% of patients likely to experience opioid induced constipation (OIC)⁽²⁾, the situation is weighing heavy on patients and the NHS.

This webinar from the Bowel Interest Group (BIG), sponsored by Sandoz, explores the new Cost of Opioid-Induced Constipation Report.

Professor Anton Emmanuel and Dr Gehanjali Amarasinghe will discuss the challenge of opioid-induced constipation and appropriate treatment pathways to offer strategies for change.

They will explore:

Opioid-induced constipation as a condition and its impact on patient quality of life
Key symptoms and diagnosis best practice
The prescribing landscape
Cost implications of OIC
Optimal treatment options

References:

1. Prescription data for section code 040702 (Opioid Analgesic Prescribing), 0106 Laxative Prescribing), and 010606 (PAMORA Prescribing) from Jan 2017 – Dec 2021. Accessed March 2022 from NHS BSA England Prescribing Database and Openprescribing.net

2. Cobo Dols M., Beato Zambrano C., Cabezón-Gutiérrez L., et al. (2021). One-year efficacy and safety of naloxegol on symptoms and quality of life related to opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: KYONAL study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002816

Introducing our speakers

Professor Anton Emmanuel

Professor in Neuro-Gastroenterology at UCL & Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College Hospital

Anton Emmanuel obtained his medical degree from London University. He is a Neuro-Gastroenterologist at University College London and Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College Hospital at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Queen Square) and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore).

He is director of the GI Physiology Unit at University College Hospital as well as providing specialist gastroenterology service for patients with neurological illness He currently chairs the Clinical Studies Group of the NGM section of the BSG, is the Medical Director of Core, the largest UK gastrointestinal charity, and is editor in chief of Frontline Gastroenterology, a specialist clinical journal.