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

Each year, about 125 million opioid prescriptions are written for Americans with pain caused by broken bones, burns, surgeries, and other injuries and procedures.

Despite high demand for an option like Journavx, doctors fear the drug’s price could be a hangup for insurers and limit patients’ ability to access it.