Preceptor

Craig Russell
Product Manager, Marketing

Description

Few conditions or diseases are not associated with pain. In fact, pain is a presenting condition in over 50% of doctor visits. In fact, three pain syndromes represent the most frequent uses of ethical analgesics: cancer pain, back pain, and postoperative pain

Pain in cancer is due to a variety of causes including; invasion of pain sensitive structures, cancer treatment itself (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation), or is unrelated to the tumor. Back pain has been difficult to treat effectively primarily because the pathology of the pain is poorly understood. Postoperative pain is primarily an acute pain syndrome caused by the surgery itself and is probably the best managed of the three major pain syndromes.

The pharmacological approach to treating pain can be divided into three segments

• peripherally acting analgesics
• opioid analgesics (central acting)
• other centrally acting analgesics

Aspirin, acetaminophen, NSAIDs and local anesthetics are peripherally acting analgesics, which work to block the sensing of pain at the nociceptor. Opioids are centrally acting agents and inhibit the processing of pain information at the spinal or central level. The other centrally acting analgesics category is comprised of combination products, centrally acting drugs which act upon non-opioid sites (antidepressants) and other drugs which have indirect pain relieving actions (muscle relaxants).

While over-the-counter products and prescription Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are utilized in milder pain syndromes, Opioid analgesics are utilized for the treatment of more severe pain syndromes.

Immediate release and controlled release opioid analgesics are both available in the market. Controlled release products are used when pain relief for more than a few days is necessary; while immediate release products are used for acute pain and to provide relief from breakthrough pain (also described as incidental pain). Breakthrough pain refers to incidental pain that is experienced while taking a controlled release product. The breakthrough pain could be due to inadequate dosing of the controlled release agent or due to pain caused by activity.

Roxane Laboratories has a long history in the manufacture and marketing of opioid analgesics. Currently Roxane markets immediate release oxycodone and both immediate as well as controlled released morphine. One attribute of the controlled released morphine that requires greater understanding by the sales force is its Pharmacokinetics profile.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate efficient literature search strategies and proficiency in the use of computerized information databases.

2. Critically analyze and evaluate literature on the Pharmacokinetics characteristics of Oramorph SR (morphine sulfate, sustained release) and how they compare to sustained release morphine competitors.

3. Interpret and combine literature sources/findings into a concise written sales training document.

Requirements and Activities

1. To be present at the site for a minimum of 40 hours per week, or at off-site location as dictated by the nature of the work being completed and agreed upon by the preceptor and the resident.

2. Perform med-line searches, obtain references and provide drug information/medical support for project.

3. Interact with internal and external consultants in the pharmaceutical industry to establish a basic understanding of the components required for an effective sales training primer.

4. A weekly review meeting will be held with the preceptor to review the status of the project.

Required Readings

Readings will be supplied to the resident prior to discussions.