The Pain and Policy Studies Group International Program
The purpose and activities of the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) at the University of Wisconsin are discussed, especially in its role as the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Policy and Communications in Cancer Care. Issues relating to the need for balanced opioid policy, the International Narcotics Control Board, opioid availability, overly restrictive national laws and regulations, and specific examples of improvements that have resulted from work of the PPSG are described.
ThePain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG), established in 1996, is part of the Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The PPSG is the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Policy and Communications in Cancer Care, and its WHO terms of reference support its vision that pain management will be adequately available when and where it is needed so that people who suffer pain from cancer, AIDS, surgery, accidents and chronic conditions will have relief from their pain, improved functioning and a better quality of life. Its mission is twofold:
- To promote ‘balance’ in international, national and state pain policies to ensure adequate availability of opioid analgesics and their appropriate medical use for patientcare, while addressing, diversion and abuse.
- To support the global communications program to improve access to information about pain relief, palliative care, and pain policy.