Given the impact of pain on human health and quality of life, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, adopted in 1961, explicitly provides that ” the use of drugs in medicine remains necessary to alleviate pain and suffering, and that appropriate measures must be taken to meet the needs of narcotic drugs used for this purpose».
The following principles of the United Nations World Health Organization apply to pain relief.
- Principle # 1 • Painkillers should, if possible, be taken drunk (tablets or syrup).
- Principle # 2 • Every four hours to give immediate effect to painkillers.
- Principle # 3 • Morphine should be started when the weaker painkillers are no longer sufficient to contain the pain.
- Principle # 4 • The dose of morphine should be determined individually.
- Principle # 5 * Patients should receive morphine at a convenient time.