“Journavx failed to outperform that opioid-acetaminophen combination in clinical trials.”
Vertex spent 27 years on a painkiller that blocks pain in the nerves instead of the brain. It did not beat the cheap opioid combination in trials. A week costs about $230 against $10 to $20 for the opioid. It is not approved for chronic pain, which over 20% of Americans have.