[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL PAIN PHYSICIANS (ASIPP)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer the National All 
Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Act of 2005 was 
approved by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President 
Bush. I rise today to recognize the important contributions of Dr. 
Laxmaiah Manchikanti and the American Society of Interventional Pain 
Physicians (ASIPP) in accomplishing this important achievement.
  Dr. Manchikanti is a physician of Indian origin who has practiced 
medicine in Paducah, Kentucky for the last 25 years. He is a well-known 
and well-respected physician with interests in many aspects of 
medicine, both in patient care, as well as academics.
  Dr. Manchikanti is a recognized leader in the circles of 
interventional pain management. Apart from his interest in the clinical 
practice of anesthesiology and interventional pain management, he is 
also proficient in administrative medicine, patient advocacy, the 
economics of healthcare, medical ethics and various other aspects of 
the profession. He is an avid clinical researcher with numerous 
publications in peer-reviewed journals with original contributions.
  Dr. Manchikanti currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the 
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. With over 3,400 
members, ASIPP is the largest organization in the country that 
represents physicians involved in trying to alleviate the intractable 
pain experienced by millions of Americans. Because of their 
professional involvement with pain medicine many ASIPP members have a 
vested interest in solving the problem of prescription drug abuse and 
diversion.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the fastest growing areas of drug abuse in our 
nation today is the diversion of prescription drugs. According to the 
National Institute of Health--National Institute on Drug Abuse, 
approximately 9 million Americans are misusers of prescription drugs. 
Furthermore, in 2001 the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, found 
statistically significant increases between 2000 and 2001 in the use of 
multiple drugs including non-medical use of pain relievers and 
tranquilizers.
  Prescription drug abuse is an issue that transcends societal 
boundaries, and affects all areas of our nation and all income levels. 
In an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse the NASPER Act 
establishes a federal system for electronic prescription databanks, 
which a doctor could access to determine what, if any, medication their 
patient should be given.
  From the very beginning, Dr. Manchikanti and his colleagues at ASIPP 
have played a crucial role in the development of the NASPER Act. Thanks 
to their active involvement and insightful guidance, we were able to 
craft a thoughtful policy that will give physicians, pharmacists, and 
law enforcement agents the tools necessary to curb prescription drug 
abuse.
  Mr. Speaker, next week ASIPP will hold its 7th annual legislative 
session in Washington. I would like to welcome ASIPP to our nation's 
capital, and offer my gratitude for all of their efforts over the past 
several years. Thanks to the hard work of Dr. Manchikanti and all of 
his colleagues the NASPER Act has finally become law and we can begin 
to address this very serious public health concern.
  I must emphasize that this is only the beginning. There is still a 
lot of important work left to be done in terms of implementing and 
enforcing this new law. I am looking forward carrying my partnership 
with Dr. Manchikanti and ASIPP forward, as we continue to work together 
to help eliminate prescription drug abuse.

                          ____________________