McNeil Consumer Health Hosts Symposium at PAINWeek to Improve Understanding of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Analgesics as Complexities in Patient Care Increase

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, the second day of PAINWeek 2014, from 12:00PM-1:30PM PT at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the Gracia 4-8 Ballroom, McNeil will bring together pain medicine experts to help better educate physicians on the management of pain using OTC analgesia in clinical practice. The symposium will challenge healthcare professionals to think beyond just the symptom of pain and examine additional risk factors and comorbidities that should be considered when recommending an OTC analgesic.

As the population ages, an increasing number of Americans are developing comorbid conditions and taking multiple medications. Recent estimates show about half of all adults—117 million people—have one or more chronic health conditions. One of four adults has two or more chronic health conditions.[1] In 2010, 48.5 percent of the U.S. population used at least one prescription medication.[2] With the increasing prevalence of chronic disease and prescription medication usage, it is important for clinicians to think about these comorbidities and concomitant medication usage when recommending OTC analgesics. The symposium comes at a time when healthcare professionals face increasing complexities in treating mild-to-moderate pain.

"Despite the importance and sheer prevalence of OTC pain management in patients with multiple comorbidities, to the best of our knowledge physician education on the subject is not a priority," said Dr. Charles Vega, program moderator and clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. "With the right approach, we can improve outcomes through a much better understanding of the most appropriate OTC pain relief medication by asking more questions, understanding patients better and knowing the latest research in patients with multiple comorbidities."

Open to all PAINWeek attendees, the program will feature a robust review of current pain management knowledge and research. It will provide case studies detailing the critical considerations needed when recommending OTC pain medications for patients with multiple comorbidities and who may be taking concomitant medications. The program will also address the importance of nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in ensuring a balance between safety and efficacy when recommending OTC analgesics.

McNeil's "Current Thinking in OTC Analgesia: Patient Considerations and Practical Insights" symposium will aim to:

• Highlight the need for healthcare professional guidance to patients to encourage the safe and effective use of OTC analgesics
• Describe key adverse events that may be exacerbated by OTC analgesics
• Discuss the risks associated with not knowing a patient's full medical history when recommending OTC analgesia

"McNeil has a proud history of working to educate consumers and healthcare professionals and is always looking for ways to enhance our educational efforts to encourage the appropriate use of all medicines," said Raj Mishra, the company's Vice President of Medical Affairs and Clinical Research. "We are committed to working with a diverse group of stakeholders, like PAINWeek, to reinforce our collective mission to alleviate pain while educating frontline clinicians."

McNeil works with third-party organizations to support a number of educational initiatives, such as Safe Dosing, Safe Storage, Safe Kids (Safe Kids), Know Your Dose (Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Educational Foundation), Healthy Futures/Health Child Care America/Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics), OTC Literacy (Scholastic and the American Association of Poison Control Centers), GutCheck (American Gastroenterological Association), Up and Away (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's PROTECT), and other patient and professional education through the Gerentological Society of America, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Heart Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the National Council on Patient Information and Education, the National Consumers League, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Convenient Care Organization.

About PAINWeek
PAINWeek is the nation's largest pain conference for frontline clinicians with an interest in pain management. Over 1800 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, hospitalists, dentists, psychologists, and social workers are expected to attend this year.

PAINWeek is produced and managed by Aventine Co., a medical communications company primarily focused on pain management education. Aventine launched PAINWeek in 2007 as an inclusive education event, inviting long-standing and advocacy organizers to participate. Going into its 8th year, PAINWeek is now the largest US pain conference.

About McNeil Consumer Healthcare
McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products. McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands include TYLENOL® and MOTRIN® pain relievers and fever reducers; BENADRYL®, ZYRTEC® and ZYRTEC®-D allergy medicines; IMODIUM® anti-diarrheal products; and SUDAFED® and SUDAFED PE® nasal decongestants.

[1] Ward BW, Schiller JS, Goodman RA. Multiple chronic conditions among US adults: a 2012 update. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014;11:130389. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.130389 
[2] CDC Therapeutic Drugs Fact Sheet; IMS Health Report, 2012

SOURCE McNeil Consumer Healthcare