Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX 2.53%) has long been known as the company to turn to for life-saving cystic fibrosis (CF) drugs, and this platform has helped it generate billions of dollars in earnings. But Vertex now is showing that it also can be a game changer when it comes to treating one of the most common of health problems -- pain.

The FDA's approval of the non-addictive painkiller Journavx last week marked a milestone in the field of pain management. Why it matters: Millions of Americans with acute and chronic pain are prescribed opioids,

The nonaddictive painkiller suzetrigine (Journavx) is as effective for acute pain as a common opioid treatment