PROTECTING ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF COALITION

ADVOCACY: THE PAPR COALITION WORKS WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP TO DEVELOP MATERIALS TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED RESEARCH FUNDING AND INNOVATION ON BEHALF OF CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND FAMILIES ABOUT NEW INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR DAILY LIVES. THROUGH ITS MEMBERSHIP, THE PAPR COALITION ALSO ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC POLICY THAT WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO AND CHOICE OF SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT OPTIONS IN FRONT OF BOTH CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING FEDERAL AGENCIES SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, INCLUDING THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, AND OTHERS. SELECT ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ENGAGING WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THEIR STAFF THROUGH COALITION MEMBER FLY-INS AND INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS, AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS WITH EXECUTIVE BRANCH STAFF.

EDUCATION: PAIN IS A COMPLICATED TOPIC, AND THE PAPR COALITION EDUCATES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBLE PAIN RELIEF. THIS EDUCATION INVOLVES PROVIDING TOOLS TO INDIVIDUALS TO INFORM THEM OF EVIDENCE-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS EDUCATING APPOINTED AND ELECTED FEDERAL AND STATE POLICYMAKERS ABOUT THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE PAIN MANAGEMENT LANDSCAPE AND DESIGNING PUBLIC POLICY INTERVENTIONS THAT BENEFIT CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS. THE PAPR COALITION HAS ADVOCATED FOR EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION AND INFORMATION ON SAFE USE OF OTC PAIN RELIEF OPTIONS AS A PART OF A PATIENT'S COMPREHENSIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPED WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT LIVE IN PERSISTENT PAIN EVERY DAY, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMEN. THE PAPR COALITION ALSO DEVELOPS WEBINARS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND TO ALLOW EXPERT STAKEHOLDERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE AS PART OF THE COALITION'S EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE PAPR COALITION ALSO POSTS EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS PEER-REVIEWED PUBLIC COMMENTS ON RELEVANT POLICY ISSUES TO ITS WEBSITE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EASILY ACCESS. SELECT EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE STAKEHOLDER AND MEMBER RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH MEETINGS AND INDIVIDUAL CALLS, ORGANIZING AND HOSTING WEBINARS ON DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL TOPICS, SUCH AS THE USE OF TELEHEALTH TO MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN AND THE TREATMENT OF PAIN IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS, AND ENGAGES WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO INFORM THEIR ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGING ON ISSUES RELATED TO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN MANAGEMENT.