A statement from the American Academy of Pain Medicine
The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) welcomes FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s comments suggesting the development of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines. We stand at the ready to participate in the development of these guidelines for common procedures that could then be incorporated into drug labeling, including the need to safely control patients’ post-operative pain, with time-limited opioid medications when necessary, while at the same time limiting any over-prescribing of opioid medications.
As pain physicians, our primary commitment is to provide the best possible care and treatment to our patients. AAPM represents a diverse scope of physicians who are on the front lines of helping patients manage their pain, through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating a variety of modalities. Our members include anesthesiologists, internists, neurologists, physiatrists, psychiatrists, surgeons and others.
AAPM members are the most knowledgeable and experienced physicians to assist the FDA in developing evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines, and we look forward to the opportunity to share our expertise with the FDA.