Millennium Laboratories Sponsors Symposium on Managing Risk and Optimizing

SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The prevalence of chronic pain in the United States continues to be significant with millions of patients impacted, yet under-treatment continues to be a problem. An educational luncheon sponsored by Millennium Laboratories at the upcoming Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP) Annual Meeting will look at the occurrence of chronic pain and substance abuse and address the principals of safe opioid prescribing, including risk assessment and mitigation and medication use monitoring. The meeting will take place May 18 – 20 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando.

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"Opioid misuse and abuse and new regulations for prescribing pain medication have been the center of much discussion in Florida, underscoring the importance of continuous physician education and dialogue on best practices for the safe prescribing and monitoring of medications that are necessary for treating patients with chronic pain," said David Cohen, Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Laboratories. "With our sponsorship of an educational session during this week's conference, we are supporting FSIPP in its efforts to provide Florida physicians with information and tools necessary to implement the best interventional pain management techniques for patients."

The Millennium-sponsored symposium, titled "Managing Risk and Optimizing Outcomes in the Management of Chronic Pain," will be presented by Doug Schottenstein, M.D., on Saturday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. in the Orange Blossom Ballroom at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Dr. Schottenstein, whose treatment focuses primarily on patients with chronic pain, is board-certified in neurology and pain medicine and is an active member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Society of Anesthesiology, the International Spine Intervention Society and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

This symposium is especially timely because millions of Americans suffer with pain on a daily basis and are not taking the proper steps to seek treatment. More than 40 million Americans suffer with chronic low back pain, more than 38 million suffer with migraine, and more than 17 million with pain associated with osteoarthritis. Millions of other Americans suffer regularly with chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis pain, cancer-related pain, post-herpetic neuralgia pain, and pain secondary to HIV or AIDS[i]^,[ii]^,[iii]^,[iv]^,[v]^,[vi].

"Many people endure pain on a daily basis, yet they do not seek the necessary treatment for several reasons, including fear of addiction," said Jesse Lipnick, M.D., Pain Management Specialist, Southeastern Integrated Medicine, Gainesville, Fla. "Physicians can help patients alleviate some of this concern through establishing a comprehensive pain management plan, which includes important strategies, such as open dialogue regarding prescribed medications and urine drug testing, to monitor patient medication use and manage possible drug-drug interactions."

For more information or to register for the lunch symposium on-site at the FSIPP meeting, please visit Millennium at booth #201 in the main exhibit hall.

About Millennium Laboratories:
Millennium Laboratories (www.millenniumlabs.com) is the leading research-based clinical diagnostic company dedicated to improving the lives of people suffering from pain. The company provides healthcare professionals with scientific data, clinical tools and services that help personalize treatment plans to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.

The company utilizes leading technology and proprietary methodologies to provide some of the fastest and most reliable medication monitoring and drug detection results via both urine drug testing (UDT) and oral fluid testing. Test results are backed by expert toxicologists, clinical guidance and dedicated customer service.

Millennium's commitment to advancing the science and the field of pain management also includes a strong focus on the advancement of industry research, education and advocacy. Through its association with the Millennium Research Institute, a nonprofit national research center, it quickly has gained respect as a leader in toxicology, pharmacology and pain management research and education, providing healthcare professionals with innovative research to advance the assessment and management of chronic pain.

[i] Lethbridge-Cejku M, Rose D, Vickerie J. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2004. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(228). 2006.

[ii] Seget S. Pain Management: World Prescription Drug Markets. New York, NY: PJB Medical Publications; 2003. Theta Report 1217.

[iii] Lipton RB et al. Neurology. 2007;68(5):343-349.

[iv] Coeytaux RR, Linville JC. Headache. 2007;47(1):7-12.

[v] Weir PT et al. J Clin Rheumatol. 2006;12(3):124-128.

[vi] Oxman MN et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(22):2271-2284.

SOURCE Millennium Laboratories