Abstract:Pain, as a significant global health issue, is managed primarily through pharmacological interventions. In China, alongside the gradual establishment of the clinical pharmacist system and the rapid advancement of pain medicine, specialized pain management pharmacists are playing an increasingly critical role in enhancing patient safety and treatment outcomes. However, they still face fundamental challenges such as the lack of prescribing authority, insufficient quantity and quality of specialized personnel, an inadequate value compensation mechanism for services, and uneven regional development. This article systematically reviews and analyzes the historical development, working models, and practical achievements of the specialized pain medication pharmacist system in China, contrasts the core differences in working models between Chinese and international pharmacists in pain management, and summarizes practical achievements in key domestic domains such as perioperative acute pain, cancer pain, and chronic non-cancer pain. By synthesizing policy directions, talent development, service standardization, and multidisciplinary collaborative practices, this review elucidates the role of this specialization in optimizing pain management and discusses current challenges and opportunities. The aim is to provide a theoretical foundation and practical references for refining a pharmaceutical care system for pain medication tailored to the Chinese context, thereby contributing to the development of a sustainable and professional pain pharmacy service system that aligns with China's healthcare landscape.
