Currow and colleagues1 discuss a complex and controversial therapeutic area — the use of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) — where it is acknowledged that there is a paucity of evidence demonstrating opioid effectiveness in long term management. The generally poor management of CNCP, including over-reliance on opioid use, may be attributed to lack of knowledge about the complex nature of CNCP and the role of non-drug options for treatment.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
We thank Phillip Bannon, Anna Drew, Chris Hayes, Aine Heaney, Sarah Hilmer, Greg Kelly, Judith Mackson, Bridin Murnion and Hester Wilson of the NSW TAG Pain Guidance Expert Advisory Group, who provided expertise in pain medicine, addiction medicine, paediatric, adult and geriatric clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, regulatory management of drugs of addiction, general practice, health technology assessment and medicines evaluation and clinical pharmacy.
No relevant disclosures.