Webcast: Opio-phobia and its impact on the undertreatment of pain

Pain experts to address global concerns about opioid use on eve of world institute on pain conference

WHAT: Leading pain specialists from the United States, Europe and Japan will meet in Istanbul, Turkey, June 25-26 in advance of the 2nd World Congress of the World Institute on Pain to explore the global impact of the under-treatment of chronic pain and the contributing role of "opioid-phobia": the excessive, often misplaced, fear of abuse and addiction. The experts also will identify strategies for minimizing the potential risks that exist.

Immediately following the expert meeting, select panelists will participate in a media briefing that will be broadcast live over the Internet via Medscape. Questions may be submitted to the panelists "real time." In addition, the event will be archived for viewing later, with the opportunity for visitors to submit questions for follow-up reply.

WHY: It is estimated that more than a fifth of the world's population suffers from persistent pain. And while most people's pain can be managed effectively, nearly half do not receive adequate treatment -- in part due to misperceptions about the safety and efficacy of opioid analgesics, widely considered one of the most effective types of therapies for moderate to severe pain .

WHO: Participants in the media briefing will include:

- Daniel Carr, MD, Saltonstall Professor of Pain Research at New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass.

- Wilfried Ilias, MD, head of anesthesiology and intensive care at the Hospital of St. John in Vienna, Austria

- Daniel Bennett, MD, co-founder and chairman of the National Pain Foundation and assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado

WHEN: Webcast live from Istanbul, Turkey, on June 26 from 15.30 - 16.30, local time (12.30-13.30 GMT). An archived version will be available later that same day.

HOW: To register for the live event, click on http://www.vioworks.com/clients/duragesic/promo.asp?p=8. Or simply visit www.vioworks.com, and follow the instructions for registration. Follow the same procedure beginning later that day to view the archived event and submit questions.