AdvaMed Praises Inter-Agency Report on Pain Management Best Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), issued the following statement on release by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report:

“AdvaMed commends HHS’s release of the final report of the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, which addresses the role and impact of medical devices in managing pain as part of a balanced, individualized, patient-centered approach. These recommendations, if implemented, will go a long way toward alleviating the opioid epidemic in America and improving patients’ lives.

“Many advanced medical technologies, including those used in minimally invasive surgeries, reduce pain experienced by patients and shorten recovery times. They can also directly target and minimize acute and chronic pain, either through innovative device-based interventions or by improving conventional drug treatment practices. All of this can be done without the same treatment challenges posed by opioids.

“With these benefits in mind, we are pleased to see that the report includes concrete recommendations to address ongoing gaps and inconsistencies for managing chronic and acute pain, including the use of alternatives to conventional opioid treatment, appropriate educational efforts and reimbursement to help ensure patient access. There is more work to be done to address the impact of this crisis on public health, but this report lays a good foundation for future efforts.

“AdvaMed and its member companies are committed to continuing to do our part to alleviate the opioid epidemic. This included submitting comments that contributed to the final best practices report, which is part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness about non-opioid alternatives for pain management.”

For a copy of the report and related background information, please click here.