A panel of experts set up to probe the effectiveness of opioid treatment agreements has decided not to support the universal utilization of these arrangements, also known as pain agreements or pain contracts.

Pain agreements outline the risks and benefits of opioid therapy, explain what is expected of the patient, educate the patient about how to store the drugs and help the patient distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable drug-taking. Physicians who provide pain management to patients with chronic pain may require such agreements to avoid liability issues if patients misuse their medications.