Patients across India who would qualify for palliative care do not seem to be getting morphine for pain management despite government initiatives that have led to simplified opioid licensing rules and increased production.

A report from the World Health Organization last week said that opioid analgesics remain underused in India, although the southern state of Kerala has established an efficient opioid administration programme that holds lessons for the rest of the country.1

The report on responsible use of drugs mirrors concerns expressed by sections of India’s medical community over the poor expansion of palliative care …