The United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a significant decision regarding pain medication and the potential addiction associated with opioid usage.
As reported by the Associated Press, on Thursday, the federal agency approved a new painkiller that could help eliminate medications linked to overdose risks, such as OxyContin.
The authorization was granted to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Journavx, which the FDA says can be used for short-term pain following injuries or surgeries.
This marks the first time in nearly 20 years that the pharmaceutical industry has addressed the growing issue of opioid addiction and over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen.
Opioids reduce pain by shutting off brain receptors that receive signals from various parts of the body, while also causing an addictive effect.
According to a study involving over 870 patients with acute pain, Journavx provided relief but did not outperform a common opioid-acetaminophen combination pill.
The new medication will be priced at $15.50 per pill, making it significantly more expensive than its opioid-associated counterparts.
Vertex’s drug works by blocking proteins that trigger pain signals, preventing them from reaching the brain.
Dr. David Altshuler from Vertex shared last year, “In trying to develop medicines that don’t have the addictive risks of opioid medicines, a key factor is working to block pain signaling before it gets to the brain.”
Vertex executives are also continuing their work on the drug with a different trial design that could yield better results and help secure FDA approval for chronic pain.
