The Australian Pain Management Association is a consumer organisation whose objectives include providing evidence-based information about persistent/chronic pain and promoting evidence-based policy and practice by clinicians and health systems. These objectives are undermined if all of the relevant information is not available to researchers, clinicians and consumers. Access to only selective data compromises our access and understanding of the most effective treatments and sets back the development of new and improved treatments. All clinical trials must be registered and reported, regardless of the nature of the results.