The WHO has approved a scoping document for the WHO guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in adults with medical illnesses.

According to the WHO: "In spite of its confinement to pharmacological treatment, the guidelines will be broad and address a wide range of conditions that have pain as a symptom."

The scoping document defines working methods, clinical questions and health systems questions to find the answer, as well as evidence, budget and timelines.

A copy of the scoping document is available online.

The production of the guidelines is subject to funding. Currently they are predicted to be ready to publish by spring 2015.