Pubdate: Sat, 17 Mar 2007
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Karen P. Tandy

DRUG AGENCY'S DILEMMA IN PAIN MEDICINE ISSUES

Scott Gottlieb's assessment ("Prescription for Trouble," editorial 
page, March 6) of the Drug Enforcement Administration role in the 
evaluation of pain medicine is baldly inaccurate: The DEA has neither 
sought nor obtained legislative authority to limit the approval of 
new pain products. The men and women of DEA take offense at Dr. 
Gottlieb's assertion that the DEA has no capacity to understand the 
need for effective pain treatment.

We are parents of young children, children of aging parents, and 
sometimes patients ourselves who appreciate the need for effective, 
accessible pain relief to prevent needless suffering.

At the same time, we also appreciate the pain of addiction.

Prescription drug abuse became a crisis practically overnight.

In just five years, the number of Americans abusing prescription 
drugs rose more than two-thirds -- from 3.8 million abusers to 6.4 million.

Painkillers now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.

It is our responsibility to help make pain medicine available to 
those who need it and keep it from those who illegally sell and abuse it.

We do this by working closely with the medical community.

The DEA listened to more than 600 medical professionals, patients and 
others affected by chronic conditions including pain. Last fall we 
issued unprecedented policy guidance and proposed new prescription 
regulations in response to their valuable suggestions. Misstatements 
that raise the ire of one group or another are obstacles to this 
critical partnership, and ultimately hinder the effective pain 
management strategies that Dr. Gottleib allegedly promotes.

Karen P, Tandy, Administrator

Drug Enforcement Administration Washington
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MAP posted-by: Elaine