The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new painkiller, Journavx, designed to eliminate the risk of addiction associated with opioids. This medication is specifically intended for short-term pain relief following surgery or injuries.
Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Journavx blocks proteins that trigger pain signals before they reach the brain. Studies involving over 870 patients have shown moderate effectiveness, providing more relief than a dummy pill but not outperforming a common opioid-acetaminophen combination pill.
The medication’s list price of $15.50 per pill makes it significantly more expensive than comparable opioids, which are often available as generics for $1 or less.
Vertex began researching Journavx in the 2000s, when overdoses were rising due to mass prescribing of opioid painkillers. While prescriptions have fallen sharply in recent years, the current wave of the opioid epidemic is largely driven by illicit fentanyl.
The FDA’s approval of Journavx marks a significant shift towards developing pain management alternatives with reduced addictive risks. The medication has been shown to have side effects that are different from opioids, including nausea and constipation, but not the risk of substance abuse.
Despite initial optimism, Vertex’s share price dropped in December after disappointing mid-stage results for another painkiller. However, the company plans to proceed with a new late-stage study, hoping to improve results and secure FDA approval for chronic pain treatment.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/nonopioid-painkiller-fda-vertex-pharmaceuticals-b1dd4276fce3d88ff32e3062e95f408f