Abstract: A patient controlled analgesia device generally includes: a patient controlled analgesia pump and a biometric authentication system. The biometric authentication system generally includes a biometric pump controller coupled to the patient controlled analgesia pump that activates the patient controlled analgesia pump to deliver analgesia and a biometric switch adapted to receive a biometric input and operably coupled to the biometric pump controller to activate the biometric pump controller. A biometric authentication processor in the biometric pump controller activates the patient controlled analgesia pump to deliver analgesia only upon authenticating the biometric input received at the biometric switch. Optionally, the biometric pump controller also includes a dosing processor that limits delivery of analgesia according to a prescription.