There is overwhelming evidence that all types of
pain, either of malignant or nonmalignant origin, are undertreated. This is especially true of patients whose
pain can only be relieved by strong
narcotics. The disciplinary section of the Texas Medical Practice Act (MPA) contains ambiguous language that makes determining proper standards for the use of
narcotics difficult. To clarify this, the
Intractable Pain Treatment Act (IPTA) allows the use of
narcotics to treat
intractable pain, without regard to the etiology of the
pain, and clarifies
narcotic use standards by defining
intractable pain. The IPTA brings Texas law more into conformity with federal law, which clearly states that
narcotics have a proper place in the treatment of
intractable pain even if the etiology is not established. Reluctance to use
narcotics for selected patients with nonmalignant painful medical conditions stems from the mistaken belief that they will become
narcotic "addicts." Data from the medical literature do not support such a contention; in fact, just the opposite is supported.