Examining Influences on the Availability of and Access to Opioids for Pain Management and Palliative Care

Martha A. MaurerMartha A. Maurer, MSSW, MPH, PhD, is an Associate Scientist at the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and with the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Pain Policy and Palliative Care (WHOCCPPPC); S. Asra Husain, JD, MA, is a Policy Researcher with PPSG and with the WHOCCPPPC; James F. Cleary, MD, is the Director of the PPSG and Director of the WHOCCPPPC. Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD, is Research Program Manager and Senior Scientist at the PPSG.Correspondence[email protected]

Aaron M. GilsonMartha A. Maurer, MSSW, MPH, PhD, is an Associate Scientist at the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and with the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Pain Policy and Palliative Care (WHOCCPPPC); S. Asra Husain, JD, MA, is a Policy Researcher with PPSG and with the WHOCCPPPC; James F. Cleary, MD, is the Director of the PPSG and Director of the WHOCCPPPC. Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD, is Research Program Manager and Senior Scientist at the PPSG.

S. Asra HusainMartha A. Maurer, MSSW, MPH, PhD, is an Associate Scientist at the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and with the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Pain Policy and Palliative Care (WHOCCPPPC); S. Asra Husain, JD, MA, is a Policy Researcher with PPSG and with the WHOCCPPPC; James F. Cleary, MD, is the Director of the PPSG and Director of the WHOCCPPPC. Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD, is Research Program Manager and Senior Scientist at the PPSG.

James F. ClearyMartha A. Maurer, MSSW, MPH, PhD, is an Associate Scientist at the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and with the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Pain Policy and Palliative Care (WHOCCPPPC); S. Asra Husain, JD, MA, is a Policy Researcher with PPSG and with the WHOCCPPPC; James F. Cleary, MD, is the Director of the PPSG and Director of the WHOCCPPPC. Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD, is Research Program Manager and Senior Scientist at the PPSG.

ABSTRACT

This commentary relates to the recently published essay in PLOS Medicine, entitled “Untreated Pain, Narcotics Regulation, and Global Health Ideologies.” That essay describes regulatory and other systemic barriers preventing the accessibility of opioid analgesics and contributing to patients not receiving adequate pain relief. Four main points highlighted in the essay are discussed in this commentary: (1) the role of international treaties in medication availability; (2) the role of the International Narcotics Control Board in medication availability; (3) the role of regulatory policy in treating pain; and (4) the role of opioid analgesics in treating pain. Recent authoritative statements and activities suggest a strengthened infrastructure within which governments currently can work to improve the availability of controlled medicines to enhance patient pain and palliative care services.

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Examining Influences on the Availability of and Access to Opioids for Pain Management and Palliative Care

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