Special Issues

Prescription opioid abuse is a significant public health concern in the United States, particularly abuse of controlled-release formulations that contain higher opioid content.

Chronic noncancer pain is now considered a global epidemic and a public health problem in the United States, partly owing to its prevalence, underdiagnosis, and undertreatment.

Chronic pain affects approximately 100 million US adults, and has devastating consequences on quality of life (QoL) and functional status.

Managed care organizations (MCOs) must play a pivotal role in the management of patients with chronic pain.