Vertex Pharmaceuticals has announced FDA approval for *JOURNAVX™ (suzetrigine)*, the first non-opioid oral pain signal inhibitor and the first new class of pain medication in over 20 years. Designed for adults experiencing moderate-to-severe acute pain, JOURNAVX offers an effective, well-tolerated alternative without the addictive potential of opioids. With over 80 million Americans prescribed pain medication annually—40 million of whom receive opioids—this approval marks a significant shift in acute pain management. Vertex has set the wholesale acquisition cost at $15.50 per 50mg pill and plans to expand clinical trials evaluating suzetrigine for neuropathic pain. (*Vertex Pharmaceuticals*)