Pain, while universal, is deeply subjective — shaped by culture, gender, age, and emotional and social factors. Recognising this complexity, Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, has launched the Haleon Pain Management Institute (HPMI) in South Africa to transform the way pain is understood, treated, and discussed.
Drawing on over a decade of patient insights and global research, the HPMI responds to the growing burden of untreated or poorly managed pain in South Africa. Haleon General Manager for South Africa, Farhan Haroon, said the launch is a significant step towards empathetic, informed, and inclusive healthcare, noting that “pain is often not understood – even by patients’ own relatives. That misunderstanding can lead to isolation and patients suffering in silence.”
A global effort to improve pain management
The South African launch follows HPMI’s introduction in Kenya earlier this year and in the UAE, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia in 2023. Haleon’s portfolio includes trusted pain relief products such as Grandpa, used by South Africans for generations. The institute aims to share this heritage while expanding knowledge and access to better pain care.
The true impact of pain
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual and potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.”
HPMI addresses this challenge through three core pillars:
- Patient Knowledge and Support – Empowering patients with tools and stories that build understanding and confidence.
- Science and Research – Filling data gaps, especially in African contexts where pain is often under-recognised.
- Education and Skills Development – Providing healthcare professionals with practical tools for empathetic and effective care.
According to Nishern Govender, Haleon’s Head of Medical for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the initiative “goes beyond [pain’s] incidence and management to the realms of the patient’s perception – the emotional, social, and psychological aspects. We found that pain is a mechanism that creates health inequities.”
Pain management from the frontlines
Community pharmacist Dr Sham Moodley explained that pharmacies often see acute pain cases, while hospitals manage more chronic pain. However, pharmacists also play a role in chronic pain management, especially for patients with comorbidities. He emphasised that “we also treat pain due to tissue damage or nerve damage, or a combination of both — and all of this requires compassion, a patient-centred approach, and opening the communication channels with our patients.”
Moodley believes this personal connection is crucial in the modern era, stating that “our advantage in the age of AI is our ability to connect and communicate. That is where we’ll continue to make an impact in the future.”
Citing a 2019 review, he highlighted that only six studies on acute pain have been published across Africa, underscoring the need for more research. “The fact that there is a critical research and knowledge gap in Africa around pain underscores the urgency of making it a priority,” he added.
Collaboration is key in pain care
Haroon concluded that pain management requires collective effort, saying, “We know pain cannot be tackled alone; we have to work together for our consumers. It’s pivotal that we understand pain clearly so that we are able to solve it.”
With its research-driven, patient-focused approach, the HPMI is set to play a vital role in filling knowledge gaps, improving training, and empowering both patients and professionals in South Africa.
