WASHINGTON (AP) — For decades, patients seeking medication for pain have had two choices: over-the-counter drugs like aspirin or powerful prescription opioids like oxycodone.
Opioid prescriptions have plummeted over the last decade as doctors have become more attuned to the risks of addiction and misuse during the country’s ongoing drug epidemic.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently reported positive results for a non-opioid painkiller, one of several medications the Boston-based drugmaker has been developing for various forms of pain. Patients taking the drug after surgery experienced more pain relief than those getting a placebo, although the drug didn’t meet a secondary goal of outperforming treatment with an opioid.
The Associated Press spoke with Vertex’s chief scientist Dr. David Altshuler about the company’s research and development plans. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
JFK airport project misrepresented as not allowing bids from white, male
Guangdong hand Sichuan 14th defeat in a row
Flood relief work strengthened in China's Guangdong
Alaska lawmakers end their session with late bills passing on energy, education
Beijing eyeing more foreign travelers
Beijing eyeing more foreign travelers
Brussels warns it WON'T let The Netherlands opt out of EU rules and bring in its 'strictest
How to upgrade your outdated acronyms to keep up with Gen Z
PGA Championship begins at Valhalla with Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods
2024 IFSC Climbing World Cup to open in China's Shaoxing