Doctor's alert as 'desperate' people take medication not prescribed to them

New research has been published06:38, 29 Jul 2026Summer might be filled with fun, but seasonal aches and pains are leaving Brits struggling, with 51% suffering from headaches, 38% with lower back pain and 30% with leg pain.‌This is leaving some unable to work, walk or even get out of bed. The research by Combogesic - an over-the-counter opioid-free pain relief - has also found that 23% are "so desperate" that they have taken prescription painkillers prescribed for someone else.‌“Summer brings with it a number of pain traps; we might hurt our shoulders and back from lugging suitcases, experience aching legs from hikes, sore elbows from tennis, aching hips from long car journeys, back pain from gardening and headaches from the heat,” said GP Dr Nisa Aslam.‌Five tips to avoid the biggest summ