U.S. FDA approves painkiller designed to eliminate risk of addiction associated with opioids

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. federal officials have approved a new type of pain pill designed to eliminate the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid medications like Vicodin and OxyContin.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Thursday it approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx for short-term pain that often follows surgery or injuries.