US Pain Management
With the opioid crisis, where is the industry pivoting?
A (Pain Specialist): Multimodal therapy. We are combining non-opioid drugs (NSAIDs, gabapentinoids) with interventional procedures. The days of "just take a Percocet" are over.
B (Industry Analyst): Devices are the fastest growing segment, at nearly 10% CAGR . Closed-loop spinal cord stimulators and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) systems are game-changers for neuropathic pain. They adjust stimulation in real-time.
C (Payer): We support that, but implantables cost $20k-$50k per patient . We need outcome-based contracts. If the device doesn't reduce opioid use by 50%, the manufacturer eats the cost.
D (Patient): I have failed back surgery syndrome. Opioids let me function. Now doctors look at me like a criminal. Non-opioid options work for some, but for severe acute pain, we still need narcotics. Don't swing the pendulum too far.