Federal involvement in pain management policy

Abstract

The federal government plays a major role in the issue-formulating policies that affect pain management. With the advent of an increase in overdose deaths associated with the misuse of prescription pain medications, the role of the federal government intensified. Multiple agencies within multiple federal departments influence pain policy, from the regulation of prescription pain relievers, to education of providers, to enforcing laws and regulations that govern the use and availability of pain relievers. No discussion of pain management is complete without a review of the various federal activities germane to this critical issue. This chapter summarizes those federal efforts.