Pain Alliance Europe (PAE) was established in November 2011 by a handful of enthusiastic patients organizations from across Europe that wanted to have pain recognised as a disease in its own right. The main objectives of PAE are to improve the quality of life for people suffering from pain in Europe, to reduce the impact of pain in the European community, and to promote awareness within European politicians in relation to pain and the societal impact caused by pain.
Over the last two years, in collaboration with the EFNA, PAE has successfully implemented one of its most important projects: MEP Interest Group on BRAIN, MIND and PAIN Disorder. The activities included, but were not limited to, several sessions of awareness within the European Parliament, attended and often chaired by large numbers of interested MEPs.
The second major project which is presently ongoing is linked to the above work. PAE is working with Grünenthal – and other partners such as the EAN, the EFIC, and the EFNA – on an initiative which will encourage patient-centric, patient driven, scientifically robust innovation and research projects via the Brain, Mind and Pain ‘Patient-Centered Innovation Grant’. This biennial grant is for individual applicants as well as different organisations’ initiatives and partnerships. They are invited to present their innovative projects or ideas with direct impact on brain, mind, and pain patients’ quality of life. The BMP grant’s objectives focus on three working streams: access to innovative treatments, prevention and self-management approaches, and reduction of stigma and research into life quality improvements. This is aligned to the focus area of the MEP Interest Group. A jury of patients’ representatives supported by scientific experts will ensure that the nominated winner addresses the patients’ challenges. The first BMP Grant Awarding Ceremony will take place in Spring 2018. Interested applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will able to apply online from 1st September 2017.
There will be two major events in 2017. One is the Pain Congress which is taking place in Valetta between 6-9 June, under the auspices of the Maltese EU Presidency. The Working Group topics to be discussed there:
- Pain as a quality indicator for health systems
- Building platforms to address the societal impact of pain
- Impact of pain on labour and employment
- Challenges, models and lighthouses in pain policy
- Evolving concepts in the definition of chronic pain: a dynamic process
You can find our more or register here: https://www.sip-platform.eu/events/sip-2017.html
The second event is the awareness day for pain, on the occasion of which PAE will organize a run and a red balloon event – Release the Pain.
The relationship between EAN physicians and PAE is of utmost importance. PAE has created a database which will enable the physicians to have the patients’ prospective on different types of treatment and medication and likewise, facilitate their understanding of the societal problems encountered by the pain patients.
PAE is also represented on the EAN’s scientific panel on pain, and we hope to continue this fruitful collaboration in future. We work closely also with our colleagues at the European Pain Federation (EFIC), an organisation with which EAN now has a Memorandum of Understanding. This is a positive development as we need to ensure that neurologists are familiar with the challenges faced by patients affected by chronic pain, or pain as a symptom of a neurological disorder.
For more information:
Email: Anca Pop at info@pae-eu.eu
Visit: www.pae-eu.eu
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PainAllianceEurope/
