By: Lynn R. Webster, M.D.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will inflict harm on chronic pain
patients with its new rules that limit the accessibility of hydrocodone. The
DEA is putting chronic pain sufferers who rely on the drug in an impossible
situation, according to “The Painful Truth: What Chronic Pain Is Really Like
and Why It Matters to Each of Us” author and outspoken advocate of chronic
pain patients’ rights Dr. Lynn R. Webster.
“Of course, opioids should not be the first line therapy in most instances,
but payers need to cover alternative treatments,” Dr. Webster believes.
“Doctors may know of options, but if payers don’t cover them, then all we
are doing with these changes is literally ‘whistling pass the graveyard.’ ”
Dr. Webster touts a 5-point plan to deal with the opioid addiction epidemic:
1. Require payers to cover evidence based alternative therapies
2. Require payers to pay for Abuse Deterrent Formulations at no greater cost
to patients than generics
3. Make opioid addiction treatment free to anyone
4. Treat addiction as a disease rather than as a crime
5. Send a loud message to Congress from the State insisting that National
Institutes of Health (NIH) find safer and more effective therapies than
opioids.
Dr. Webster is currently available for interviews about the DEA’s new
guidelines and his alternative 5-point plan for affecting positive change.
Please let me know if you’d like scheduling information.
Author Information:
Dr. Lynn Webster has dedicated more than three decades to becoming an expert
in the field of pain management. He is the vice president of Scientific
Affairs of PRA Health Sciences and immediate past president of the American
Academy of Pain Medicine. A leading voice in trying to help physicians
safely treat pain patients, Dr. Webster actively works within the industry
to develop safer and more effective therapies for chronic pain and
addiction. He is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine, and is
also certified in addiction medicine. Dr. Webster lectures extensively on
the subject of preventing opioid abuse and criminal diversion in chronic
pain patients and has authored more than 300 scientific abstracts,
manuscripts, journal articles and a book titled “Avoiding Opioid Abuse While
Managing Pain: A Guide for Practitioners,” many of which are the basis for
training physicians who are studying pain.
Dr. Webster has played an instrumental role in his industry as a strong
advocate for safe and effective pain resolution methods. The Opioid Risk
Tool (ORT), which he developed, is currently used and is the standard in
multiple countries and thousands of clinics worldwide. He spends most of his
time now developing safer and more effective therapies for chronic pain and
campaigning for safer use of medications.
He received his doctorate of medicine from the University of Nebraska and
later completed his residency at the University of Utah Medical Center’s
Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Webster has been quoted by multiple media
sources, including in the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, and
has given over 250 presentations across the United States and
internationally. He is the author of “The Painful Truth: What Chronic Pain
Is Really Like and Why It Matters to Each of Us” (Webster Media LLC).
Book Information:
The Painful Truth:
What Chronic Pain Is Really Like and Why It Matters to Each of Us
By: Lynn R. Webster, M.D.
Webster Media, LLC
<a href=”http://thepainfultruthbook.com/” target=”_blank”>thepainfultruthbook.com</a>