It is now easier to prescribe buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorders.

During the recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden mentioned a law that simplifies prescribing opioid addiction treatments. He was referring to the X-Waiver, which had been around for over 20 years before it was done away with on December 29, 2022.

“With the signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Congress eliminated the DATA-Waiver Program,” states the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s website. “The elimination of the X-Waiver will increase access to buprenorphine for those in need.” 

With the waiver, doctors had to jump through multiple hoops (training, audits, a patient limit) if/when they prescribed the drug. Therefore, as the vice president for research at UT Health San Antonio, Jennifer Potter, told NBC News, health professionals had been waiting for its removal for “years if not a decade or more.”

New guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to help patients and clinicians make informed, patient-centered decisions about effective pain care.

 Where are they now? Read what previous Case Study and Scholarship winners have been up to...

Previous Winner of the 2020 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation and 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Scholarship

George Polson MD

Previous Winner of the 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Grayson Koval, MD

Pain fellow at Texas Tech when award was received. 

In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice?
I have used my case study to remind myself of the importance of being a clinician who thoroughly evaluates his patients. 

What professional development have you gone through since your award? 
Since last year, I have finished my fellowship, been board certified in anesthesia, and started a private practice job in Midland, TX. 

Where are you working now? Midland Spine Institute in Midland, TX.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM? Take advantage of every learning opportunity in fellowship
 

Previous Winner of the 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Adedeji Olusanya DO, MPH

• At University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio when award was received. 
  
  
• In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice? 
  I was able to talk about spinal stenosis and different treatment approaches on rotations 
  
  
• What professional development have you gone through since your award?  Since the last conference, I have been able to attend more national pain conferences where I was able to net work with other fellows, and pain physicians. I also have and the opportunity to join numerous of webinars where I was able to expand my knowledge in pain medicine, patient management, and new innovative procedure to help shape the future of pain medicine.
  
  Where are you working now? Right now I am PGY-3  at university of Texas Health science Center at San Antonio. This year, I will be applying for the next pain fellowship cycle.
  
  What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM? I wouldn’t imagine that I could give a Fellow much advice. But what I would say to a resident or medical student that is interested in pain, is to get into research early! Also networking while attending pain conferences is vital. Interventional pain is a small field, it is important to know your colleagues!

 Previous Winner of the  2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Scholarship

Vishal Bansal, MD 

Where are you working now? 
Resident Physician (PGY-3) and will be applying for Pain Medicine fellowship

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a Fellow going into PM?
One piece of advice I would have for residents considering pain medicine fellowship would be to get involved with research and attend regional and national conferences in Pain Medicine. Research or publications is often a great way for yourself to get familiar with a particular topic and to also form connections with other pain physicians. Conferences are a great way to meet future colleagues and learn about the current practices and latest advances in pain medicine, making you well equipped to start your journey into pain medicine fellowship. 

 Previous Winner of the 2019, 2020 & 2021 Hassenbusch Continued Learning Case Study Presentation

Joseph Liao, M.D.

When award was received, Dr. Liao was at the University of Texas - Houston, Department of Anesthesiology

In what ways have you used what you presented in your recent practice? The majority of my studies involved interventional procedures in the treatment of refractory pain conditions. Presenting complex scenarios and receiving feedback from the physician leaders in Texas have shaped how I approach patient care, especially when it comes to patient selection and determining what next steps may possibly be offered to patients. The moderators and seasoned pain physicians at Texas Pain Society have a wealth of knowledge and invaluable experience.

What professional development have you gone through since your award? 
I am an anesthesiologist and pain management fellow at Stanford University. My goal is to offer my patients quality, best-in-class treatments. I am also working towards being more involved in industry and physician leadership. 

From what drew her to the pain management industry to her favorite part of being a pain doctor, Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta opens up in our latest profile feature!

Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta, MD is a Texas Pain Society Board Member and professor for the Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Area of Specialty & Special Interest: Cancer pain, opioid addiction

What got you into pain medicine? The blend of pharmacology and interventions! 

Texas Pain Society Board Member Carlos Omar Viesca, MD shares how he got involved in Pain Management. 

Carlos Omar Viesca, MD is a Texas Pain Society Board Member and physician for Interventional Pain Medicine Institute.

   1250 E. Cliff Dr., Suite 3D
    El Paso, TX 79912-6431

Federal Register Notice

Requiring Online Submission of Applications for and Renewals of DEA Registration (PDF)

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rulemaking amends the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) regulations to now require all applications for DEA registrations, and renewal of those registrations, to be submitted online.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 11, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott A. Brinks, Regulatory Drafting and Policy Support Section, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152; Telephone: (571) 776–2265.

Physicians Call for Better Access to Naloxone, Treatment Programs for Opioids

Read the TMA article 

Did you know that TPS has it's very own Career Center?

If you're looking to fill a position, you need to look into this great resource that expands to various medical fields all across the US!

In addition to this resource, we want to help you get the word out. Let us know what positions you're looking for by filling out the form through the link below. 

Open Positions for Members

Below is a recap of the release announced on Forbes. Find the Proposed 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids here. TPS will submit a formal response on behalf of TPS Members.

Send in your comments directly to TPS

The Centers for Disease Control proposed pulling back some of the strict guidelines for prescribing opioids in a draft of recommendations released Thursday, a move that would loosen some of the restrictions put in place in 2016 to help mitigate the opioid epidemic, in an attempt to allow chronic pain patients to receive more flexible treatment.

KEY FACTS

Be sure to use #TexasPain!

Reminder to Health Care Practitioners About Financial Interest Disclosures

DWC reminds health care practitioners that they must file a financial interest disclosure with DWC when referring an injured employee to another health care practitioner, health care provider, or health care facility that they have a financial interest in.

Do you want to advance your status and exposure? You can with the American Board of Pain Management as a director! You have experiences, opinions, scientific facts that can drive the industry forward. Consider joining by contacting Dr. Finn below. 

HHSC announces new Drug Utilization Review Board appointments

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission established the Drug Utilization Review Board to develop criteria and standards impacting Texas Medicaid, including:

• Developing and submitting recommendations for the Texas Medicaid preferred drug list;
• Suggesting clinical prior authorizations on outpatient prescription drugs;
• Recommending educational interventions for Medicaid providers; and
• Reviewing drug utilization across the Medicaid program.

The following individuals have been selected for Board appointment:

• Dr. Natalie Vanek, physician representative
• Dr. Carlos O. Viesca, physician representative

Please visit the Board webpage for more information on the Board.  Board meeting agendas are posted approximately seven days prior to the meetings on the Events webpage.  Meetings are also webcast and archived on the Meetings webpage for approximately two years from the date of the meeting.  

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is seeking qualified individuals interested in providing professional services to DWC and to serve on the Medical Quality Review Panel (MQRP). The MQRP was established under the Texas Labor Code §413.0512 to assist me, as the medical advisor, in the performance of my duties under Texas Labor Code §413.0511.   

Please nominate Texas licensed health care practitioners who have demonstrated experience in workers’ compensation or utilization review for possible appointment to the MQRP. Although DWC will accept nominations of all types of health care practitioners, our current focus is on orthopedics, pain management, occupational medicine, and internal medicine.  

You may be professionally qualified and interested in assisting DWC in the evaluation of the appropriate medical management for injured employees in Texas. Please contact Mary Landrum at [email protected] with your interest or to nominate another professional, no later than end of business day, January 28, 2022. Please contact Mary Landrum at 512-804-4814 should you have any questions. 

Read about all the awards given at the Conference. 

Meeting Registration is OPEN!

The Texas Pain Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier educational conference for pain management physicians in Texas. Each year over 200 physicians attend this one of a kind event.

Notable Pain Medicine-Specific CME Presentations will focus on the most current research and findings in pain medicine. Earn up to 17 AMA PRA Category 1^tm and 2.75 hours of ethics/ professional responsibility in one weekend from distinguished state and national speakers.

1. Learn about the latest state law and rule changes from the Texas Medical Board and Texas State Board of Pharmacy and Drug Trafficking at the border