Protecting Access To Pain Relief Coalition

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.

Policy development: the papr coalition utilizes the expertise of its patient advocacy and public health group membership to develop regulatory comments, expert responses to legislation and congressional staff inquiries, and to provide key stakeholder insights to federal appointed, career and elected officials responsible for pain research and major grants programs as well as other materials to benefit all americans that suffer from chronic pain. These policy products are developed and finalized through a consensus process of review which engages all papr coalition members and the papr coalition executive committee. Our expert policy products utilize peer-reviewed and other scientific information to inform policy principles and positions the papr coalition supports and about which the papr coalition educates others. Select policy activities include the development of public comments to chronic pain policy positions and other efforts developed by numerous federal agencies, including the department of health and human services (hhs), the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc), and others. The papr coalition and its members also brief expert staff at federal agencies, support and review activities related to federal agency initiatives on chronic pain management and pain relief generally, and develop and execute briefings for congressional and executive branch staff and outside groups.