Health in all policies: Quality of life of chronic pain patients vs regulations to stop opioid abusers

According to the Institute of Medicine (2011), chronic pain is a national public health issue affecting tens of millions. Experts agree the “opioid crisis” is also a public health issue. The CDC (2013) reports opioids cause nearly 3 of 4 prescription drug overdoes -  more deaths than cocaine and heroine combined. A recent NIH report (2015) asserts a lack of evidence to prove long-term opioid use works, while chronic pain patients report positive outcomes from opioids. See ie www.fmcpaware.org.  

Despite an unknown root cause, the FDA responded to the opioid crisis by changing the classification of hydrocodone - the most prescribed opioid - from a Schedule III to a Schedule II drug. This restricts access to abusers, as well as chronic pain patients who rely on prescribed drugs to decrease pain and improve quality of life.

Before the regulatory change, previous studies have shown drug access issues. Using secondary data from a hydrocodone survey of access since the regulatory change, currently underway by the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, with a team of experts, and more than 3650 subjects to date, this paper looks at a theoretical problem in public health law. What happens when we address one public health issue through regulation without first exploring the consequences to another? How can evidence play a role in creating public health policy that considers the health of all populations involved? What role does public health law research play?  This proposal targets an audience with some familiarity with law and/or policy.