Global data indicates that the average opioid/morphine equivalent consumption increased from 1.82 mg/person in 1980 to 61.66 mg/person by 2011. Increased mis use of opioid for chronic non-cancer pain has drawn a lot of attention of policymakers and health care providers to design guidelines to help patients and doctors to optimize the use of opioids. In this context, this article provides the indications where opioids can be used, its advantages and disadvantages, and why is it necessary to have strict policies in this regard .
There is a very limited scientific evidence which supports long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain. However, there has been a substantial increase in the use of opioids for controlling pain not associated with malignant disease or end of life care, eventually increasing the drug-related deaths or misuse. Experts and specialty organizations have…
