A new report says chronic pain is a silent epidemic, with more than one in three people in Ireland affected.
The average waiting time for diagnosis and treatment is two years and an estimated 15% of people with chronic pain suffer from depression.
The report says around 42% of people with chronic pain have endured it for more than five years.
The 'Pain Proposal' says chronic pain should be afforded the same resources as other major conditions and calls for increased awareness by General Practitioners, better access to specialist referral and pain medicine.
The report was prepared by the Irish Pain Society, Chronic Pain Ireland and Arthritis Ireland, with the support of drug firm Pfizer.
It says 29% of people are unable to work due to their condition and chronic pain is estimated to cost the economy up to €2.5bn a year.
Around 42% of sufferers think others doubt the existence of their pain.
Chronic pain can be caused by a large range of conditions including arthritis, cancer and diabetes and by other factors such as injuries or operations.
