Pain management for the twenty-first century – reports from the 2025 meeting

After the 17th 'Royal Marsden opioid, cannabinoid, and gabapentinoid conference,' it was time to reappraise the title and content of the meeting. Without AI help, I renamed this successful and lauded meeting, 'Pain Medicine for the 21st Century.' It amazes me that whomsoever I invite, no matter how renowned, all seem keen to come to the Royal Marsden to confer their expert knowledge. The first meeting with the new moniker attracted speakers of the highest quality, covering key aspects of pain medicine. The medications from the previous title were represented with novel, informative, and insightful talks with the additional category of psychedelics for pain included. Intrathecal pumps, findings of the recent POPPY study, topical analgesics, and the immune system in pain all added to the rich blend of thoughtful topics. Not only was psychology discussed, but the often ignored treatise of social factors in pain was deliberated. Add in pain after combat injuries, crossing the translational gulf, sodium channel blockers, and how we make research more trustworthy, and we have a magnificent maelstrom of instructional education. Enjoy. - Dr Paul Farquhar-Smith, Conference Chair of Pain Medicine for the twenty-first Century 2025.This Meeting Report shares summaries of the talks at Pain Medicine for the 21st Century 2025.Looking ahead: Pain Medicine for the twenty-first Century, 2026Location: The Royal Marsden Education and Conference Center, LondonSave the Date: November 19-20, 2026For more information, please visit: www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/Opioids2026.