Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, is proud to announce the launch of its transformative Pain Management Institute (HPMI) in Kenya.
The Institute delves deeper into the management of pain and includes key experts bringing a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing the determinants of, and solutions to, pain.
“What our research is showing is that pain is rarely just physiological. Those living with pain often feel isolated, misunderstood, and worse, unheard. With a third of the world’s population in pain every day, we must devise strategies that create wider understanding of patients’ pain experience,” says Mark Pfister, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We are excited to be launching the HPMI in Kenya, a key market for us in Africa and by extension, Sub-Saharan Africa.”
According to Haleon’s latest Global Pain Index – which surveyed over 18 000 people across 18 countries in 2023, including over 600 healthcare professionals (HCPs) – the social and emotional impact of pain on patient’s lives is on the rise.
“Pain is a universal experience that cuts across culture, age, and gender. What the Index revealed was that pain disproportionately impacts marginalised populations, such as women and Gen Z’s,” explains Pfister.
“Patients in these groups often feel the impact more acutely due to bias, discrimination, and exclusion in society. Africa has a very youthful population, and based on the Index’s findings, these young people, who are the engine of Africa’s economic future, will not be spared from the burden of pain. Haleon’s Pain Management Institute will be a key platform for Kenya’s health system, aiming to support capacity building, break stigma, and improve patient outcomes.”
As many as 86% of HCPs observed that patients found it embarrassing or difficult to talk about pain, making it increasingly difficult for HCPs to assess how patients are feeling, while an overwhelming 79% of HCPs acknowledge that the impact of pain on patients’ lives is often underestimated.
The Haleon Pain Management Institute (HPMI) is committed to ensuring that an additional 20 million pain sufferers are empowered to get the pain management support they need by 2030.
We have a mission to deliver this across three key pillars:
Patient Knowledge and Support: to truly understand the impact of pain on patients’ lives.
Science and Research: to accelerate and build the science of pain management
Education and Skills: to empower HCPs with resources and tools for better patient outcomes.
The HPMI believes that every pain matters, and every outcome can be improved – but it can only be done together.
Across Kenya, the burden of chronic pain is growing, with the country’s chronic pain therapeutics market projected to rise from $52 million in 2022 to $89 million by 2030, reflecting a rising national demand for effective pain relief solutions.
“Pain can be an isolating experience, yet no one should tackle pain alone,” states Enid Moraa, Haleon Head of Expert for Sub-Saharan Africa. “That’s why the Institute is committed to ensuring patients are heard, HCPs are supported, and that no one feels alone in their pain.”
To mark the launch, Haleon hosted an exclusive webinar on Thursday evening titled: “Pain as an Accelerator of Aging,” unpacking the causes, management, and emotional impact of chronic pain across the ages.
This launch follows successful introductions of the Institute in the UAE, Pakistan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Haleon, a leader in self-care, stands to deliver “better everyday health with humanity”. The company’s production facility in Nairobi produces 28 million units of healthcare products annually, including pain relief brands such as Panadol and Calpol.
