SPPM is proud to advocate for issues related to pain management in children. Recently, our president, Dr. Rita Agarwal has been featured on two prominent websites discussing current issues around pain management. The first article was featured on Doximity and discusses the utilization of ketamine for non-medical use as a chemical restraint that lead to an unfortunate death in a young person. The second article, in MedPage Today focused on codeine use in children and modification of existing black box warning based on genetic testing. As a prominent society representing hundreds of clinicians involved in management of pain in children and teens, we hope to continue with advocacy work related to our expertise in pediatric pain.
IASP Data Blitz Submissions
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) invites members and others to submit data blitz submissions to be considered for presentation during the IASP Virtual Series on Pain & Expo. Data blitz live presentations will occur on January 28, 2021 and March 24, 2021. All submissions must be submitted by November 18, 2020 at 17:00 Eastern Time.
https://www.eventscribe.com/2020/IASP-Virtual-Series-on-Pain/aaStatic.asp?SFP=SkdOS0haV1BANTAxNg
New SPPM Special Interest Groups
The SPPM Board of Directors is delighted to announce the creation of two NEW Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
Creating, Maintaining, and Supporting Pediatric Pain Services SIG
There is little information on how to create a new pediatric pain service in institutions that do not have them, or how to maintain and/or optimize existing pain management services. This SIG is dedicated to promoting effective and sustainable operational models of pediatric acute pain services adapted to individual institutional needs and resources. If you are interested in joining this group or for more information, please contact Dr. Alina Lazar at [email protected].
Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment SIG
Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT) programs use a biopsychosocial approach to improve functioning for pediatric patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions that result in significant functional and physical impairment. The purpose of this SIG is to promote collaboration and research. If you are interested in joining this SIG or for more information, please contact Dr. Eugene Kim at [email protected].
SPPM/SPA Response to FDA Regarding the Use of Codeine
In 2013 the FDA recommended against the use of codeine in pain medication, or as an antitussive in children less than 12 years of age. In 2015 and 2017 it strengthened its warnings; leading to a contraindication and label changes on codeine containing medications. Click here to view the recommendation.
At that time, they added warnings to the use of codeine in children less than 18. This was done because of the increased risk of side effects including difficulty breathing and death in children who had received codeine. A recent citizen’s petition is asking the FDA to remove these warnings and recommend that children get genetic testing to see if codeine is safe to use in them. The SPPM is strongly opposed to this move and along with leaders for the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia and other leading experts wrote a strong letter in opposition of relaxing these restrictions. Genetic testing is not widely available, it is not reliable, and it is often not covered by insurance companies. Relaxing these restrictions is not the answer to improved access to pain medications at this time. Without easily available, reliable and affordable testing, increased use of codeine will lead to increased complications and even death in children.
September is Pain Awareness Month!
Help raise the awareness around pediatric pain, pain management and the tremendous work that pediatric pain professionals do during this month and beyond to improve the lives of children affected by pain.
Message from SPPM President Dr. Rita Agarwal.
The Pain Awareness Month theme for September 2020 is #MyPainPlan
The focus of this year’s theme is highlighting the importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary, and multimodal care of pain. Be sure to highlight the role of this comprehensive model of pain care and how you’re carrying this message forward using the hashtags.
#MyPainPlan and
#PainAwarenessMonth
Share your stories of individualized, multidisciplinary and multimodal care of pain on SPPM social media – Facebook and Twitter.
SPPM 11th Annual Meeting