The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Journavx, a new non-opioid painkiller developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. This approval is hailed as a significant public health milestone in the realm of acute pain management. Journavx is designed to treat short-term pain in adults by targeting pain signals before they reach the brain, offering effective relief for moderate to severe pain without the addictive potential of opioids.
Journavx's approval is noteworthy as it is the first drug in a new class of pain medicine to receive FDA approval in over two decades. The medication is priced at an estimated $15.50 (£12.50) per capsule. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in reducing pain post-surgery. However, the safety and effectiveness of Journavx in children remain undetermined, and further research is needed to extend its use to younger populations.
The introduction of Journavx comes at a crucial time, as the United States continues to grapple with a persistent opioid-addiction crisis. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives to opioid use. In 2022 alone, there were 82,000 opioid-related overdose deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The FDA's approval of Journavx aims to provide an alternative for the approximately 80 million Americans prescribed medication for moderate-to-severe acute pain each year.
"An historic milestone for the 80 million people in America who are prescribed a medicine for moderate-to-severe acute pain each year," stated Reshma Kewalramani, highlighting the significance of this development.
The opioid crisis has long been a national concern, with former President Trump declaring it a "national shame" and a public health emergency in 2017. The issue has also impacted international relations, as evidenced by President Trump's threats to impose tariffs on China due to its fentanyl exports.
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