New prescription-strength pain relief hits high street chemists, hailed as ‘game-changer’ by pharmacists

Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK – A new anti-inflammatory pain relief treatment available from pharmacies, is being described as a ‘game-changer’ for the millions of people who suffer short-term back, muscle and joint pain every year in the UK. 

Naprosyn® Pain Relief is the first over-the-counter treatment for acute musculoskeletal pain to contain naproxen. Until now, naproxen has only been available on prescription for these conditions. Available in Boots stores from this week, the launch of Naprosyn® Pain Relief 250mg gastro-resistant tablets marks the first single-ingredient oral pain relief medicine available in high street pharmacies for over a decade.

Anna Maxwell, Founder and CEO of Maxwellia, the company behind the launch of Naprosyn® Pain Relief, said: “Naprosyn® Pain Relief is a game-changing medicine for acute back, muscle and joint pain, giving patients more choice and control over how they manage their health for the first time in more than 40 years. For too long, the choice of active ingredients available over the counter for this type of pain has been relatively stagnant; by bringing naproxen, a proven, prescription-strength, opioid-free treatment to high street pharmacies for the first time, we can finally give people a new way to tackle pain and inflammation head-on, helping them get back to daily life without the disruption of short-term aches and pains.” 

As a nation, the UK is aching for relief. Whether it’s a twisted ankle, a strained shoulder, or an aching back, musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking treatment in this country, accounting for up to 30% of GP consultations in England.ii  Symptoms can have a significant impact on physical activity, daily life, quality of sleep and work ability, with over 30 million working days lost due to musculoskeletal conditions every year in the UK.  With physical activity now at its highest ever level in the UK, more people are benefiting from exercise, but for some, it also brings a greater risk of injury.iii

In a recent survey* conducted for Naprosyn® Pain Relief, sitting at a desk or computer (56%), lifting heavy objects (51%) and physical activity (48%) were reported as the top causes of everyday aches and pains, with the lower back (64%) and knees (49%) being the most common sites of discomfort.

Physiotherapist, Martin Haines said: “Acute musculoskeletal pain can have a real impact on people’s ability to move, work and enjoy life. Managing both the pain and the inflammation is key to recovery, and sometimes the sooner we can start, the better. In my experience, many people build their own ‘ecosystem’ for managing pain, combining approaches like physiotherapy or sports massage with effective pain relief. Having Naprosyn® Pain Relief readily available in pharmacies means individuals have the option to add a new weapon to their armoury, helping them return to activity sooner.” 

Naproxen, the active ingredient in Naprosyn® Pain Relief, is a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is opioid-free and has been prescribed for over 40 years for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. It offers dual-effect relief, targeting both pain and inflammation, and can provide powerful lasting relief for up to 12 hours with just one dose. By reducing the chemical messengers that cause inflammation, naproxen addresses the five hallmark signs — pain, swelling, redness, heat and loss of movement; helping people return to their normal activities faster.

 Sukhi Basra, pharmacist and Vice Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “To have Naprosyn® Pain Relief available as a pharmacy medicine is a breakthrough for the many people suffering from acute back pain, sprains, and strains. It's a powerful medicine that is known to be highly effective and well-tolerated as a pain medication and provides patients with another much-needed option to help them take control of their pain. I have no doubt that this is a game-changing medicine for treating short-term musculoskeletal pain and it is excellent news that we, as pharmacists, can now recommend it as an over-the-counter medicine.” 

The launch of Naprosyn® Pain Relief reflects the mission of Maxwellia, the UK’s only dedicated medicine “switching” company, to empower people to take control of their health by making proven, effective prescription medicines available over the counter.