NCL applauds FDA approval of Journavx for acute pain relief, advancing non-opioid alternatives 

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communication, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approving Journavx, a pioneering non-opioid analgesic for treating moderate to severe acute pain in adults. This approval introduces a promising alternative to opioids in pain management, addressing the urgent need for safer treatments amid the ongoing opioid crisis.

According to the CDC there were an estimated 75,091 opioid overdose deaths in 2024. As the first drug in a new class of non-opioid analgesics, Journavx offers a critical option for patients needing pain relief without the risks associated with opioids.  This groundbreaking alternative works by targeting sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, reducing pain signals before they reach the brain.

“The approval of Journavx is a significant step forward in providing consumers with safe, non-opioid alternatives for pain management,” said Sally Greenberg NCL CEO. “In the face of the opioid epidemic, the FDA’s decision gives us hope for a future where pain management can be effective and free of the risks that have harmed so many.”

The drug provides an important option for acute pain management, especially as the healthcare community looks for ways to reduce opioid dependency. To learn more about additional non-opioid alternatives listen to NCL’s We Can Do This! podcast episode, where we explore the future of pain management here.

###

About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.