Pain Management and Opioid Regulation: Continuing Public Health Challenges

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pain Management
• Health Policy

Background:

• The US faces a growing opioid epidemic at the intersection of pain management and opioid-related harms.
• A 2017 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) report highlighted needs in pain measurement, treatment evaluation, and opioid surveillance.
• Addressing these challenges necessitates significant investment in research and coordinated policy responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comment on the public health burden of pain and the role of opioids.
• To discuss global disparities in opioid access for pain management.
• To examine regulatory approaches and balance patient needs with harm prevention.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of articles in a special section of the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH).
• Commentary on findings and recommendations from the 2017 NASEM report.
• Synthesis of perspectives on pain, opioids, and regulation.

Main Results:

• Opioid epidemic intersects pain relief and harm reduction.
• Need for improved pain assessment, treatment modalities, and opioid surveillance.
• Call for cultural transformation in pain perception and management.
• Framework for FDA approval, monitoring, and review of opioids.

Conclusions:

• Effective response requires coordinated policy and research investment.
• Balancing patient pain relief with prevention of opioid harms is critical.
• Global disparities and divergent regulations complicate opioid management.