Pain is a Strategic Challenge in Chronic Conditions

Pain is more than just a symptom—it's a barrier to successful disease management. In chronic conditions, unmanaged pain significantly impairs patients’ quality of life and can lead to poor medication adherence. According to a global survey by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), nearly 50% of individuals with chronic pain report insufficient pain relief, and up to 40% stop treatment due to lack of perceived benefit.

In chronic conditions like Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), this is even more pronounced. Pain not only reduces mobility but also leads to anxiety, depression, and an overall decline in patient engagement. The complex and subjective nature of pain adds to the challenge—making it difficult for providers to assess, and for patients to report and manage consistently.

Digital tools offer a unique opportunity to transform this pain barrier into a strategic advantage.

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Pharma’s Challenge: Managing Pain to Drive Drug Adoption

For pharma companies, especially those launching drugs for chronic diseases associated with pain, managing pain effectively is central to driving uptake and maintaining adherence. Poor pain control not only reduces patients’ willingness to stay on therapy, but it also weakens the real-world performance of the drug in the eyes of prescribers and payers.

Digital health solutions can address this challenge head-on. They:

• Support product differentiation by enabling a patient-centric narrative

• Offer evidence of improved patient outcomes that can aid in market access discussions

• Reduce drop-offs through personalised, timely interventions and education

Importantly, they collect structured real-world data that can support payer value assessments.

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The Role of Digital Health in Pain Management

Digital solutions have been shown to improve pain outcomes and medication adherence by offering continuous, scalable support. In one study published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, patients using digital pain management apps reported a 29% reduction in pain interference and improved medication adherence scores compared to control groups.

Integrating digital early in the launch cycle simplifies patient onboarding and offers ongoing behavioural nudges, content, and support that reinforce self-management. For chronic pain patients, this continuous engagement is essential.

Case Study Spotlight: Managing DPN in Thailand with Avegen

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy affects over half of people with long-standing diabetes and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in diabetic populations. In Thailand, Viatris partnered with Avegen to address this through a digital patient support program.

Avegen's product was designed to improve patients’ understanding and self-management of DPN, focusing heavily on pain monitoring and education. The platform included:

• A validated pain survey (s-LANSS) to assess neuropathic pain

• Daily and weekly trackers for symptoms and lifestyle behavior

• Personalised goal setting

• Curated educational content tailored to pain and diabetes management

• A clinician dashboard for enhanced provider oversight

Initial engagement data indicated strong uptake:

• Most users completed the baseline pain survey

• Consistent usage of trackers and educational content

• High acceptability among both patients and providers

Though long-term outcomes are still being measured, early qualitative feedback highlights improved pain awareness, better daily habits, and more meaningful provider-patient interactions.

Takeaways for Pharma: Why Digital is Non-Negotiable

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Pain is a pivotal factor in real-world outcomes. Ignoring it or managing it passively can undermine even the most promising drug.

Digital tools:

• Accelerate market penetration by providing structured onboarding and support from Day 1

• Improve real-world outcomes through better adherence and self-management

• Support pricing and reimbursement discussions with patient-reported data

• Differentiate the brand through continuous, value-adding patient support

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Conclusion: Pain Management as a Strategic Pillar for Pharma

For pharma leaders, pain management is not just a clinical consideration—it’s a commercial imperative. Integrating digital health solutions at the early stages of launch can significantly enhance a drug’s market trajectory and ensure patients receive comprehensive, consistent support.

If you're launching or managing a drug for a chronic condition associated with pain, now is the time to reimagine pain management as a strategic pillar, and not a side concern.

To learn how Avegen’s digital solutions can support your next launch, drive better outcomes, and help you win with patients and payers, get in touch with us at www.avegenhealth.com or write to sales@avegenhealth.com.

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