DRUG AGENCY'S DILEMMA IN PAIN MEDICINE ISSUES

Scott Gottlieb's assessment ("Prescription for Trouble," editorial
page, March 6) of the Drug Enforcement Administration role in the
evaluation of pain medicine is baldly inaccurate: The DEA has neither
sought nor obtained legislative authority to limit the approval of
new pain products. The men and women of DEA take offense at Dr.
Gottlieb's assertion that the DEA has no capacity to understand the
need for effective pain treatment.

We are parents of young children, children of aging parents, and
sometimes patients ourselves who appreciate the need for effective,
accessible pain relief to prevent needless suffering.

At the same time, we also appreciate the pain of addiction.

Prescription drug abuse became a crisis practically overnight.

In just five years, the number of Americans abusing prescription
drugs rose more than two-thirds -- from 3.8 million abusers to 6.4 million.

Painkillers now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.

It is our responsibility to help make pain medicine available to
those who need it and keep it from those who illegally sell and abuse it.

We do this by working closely with the medical community.

The DEA listened to more than 600 medical professionals, patients and
others affected by chronic conditions including pain. Last fall we
issued unprecedented policy guidance and proposed new prescription
regulations in response to their valuable suggestions. Misstatements
that raise the ire of one group or another are obstacles to this
critical partnership, and ultimately hinder the effective pain
management strategies that Dr. Gottleib allegedly promotes.

Karen P, Tandy, Administrator

Drug Enforcement Administration Washington