The term "painkiller" should not be used, to help bust the myth they cure pain, a government adviser suggests.

Axar.az informs citing foreign media.

Prof Jamie Coleman said the phrase raised unrealistic expectations - with "pain-reliever" a better option.

Research suggests just one in 10 patients seeking help for long-term pain, benefit from strong painkillers.

Prof Coleman also said he was in favour of ending the over-the-counter sale of low-dose codeine drugs in pharmacies, to combat prescription drug addiction.

He said even in low doses, the medication could become addictive, and users risked serious side-effects, such as vomiting and nausea.

Prof Coleman, who is part of a working group looking at the use of opioid medication for the government in England, said making such drugs prescription-only alongside a change in culture towards painkillers, was the key to tackling misuse.

A report published last year by Public Health England (PHE) warned that people were getting hooked on prescription drugs, such as opioids, anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.