Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) said Thursday that its Journavx non-opioid pain killer has been added by UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) drug plan unit Optum Rx to its formulary.

"[The addition reflects] the unmet need for new treatment options and the promise of Journavx in acute pain, and we continue to work with them and other payers to ensure broad availability," Vertex Pharmaceuticals said in a statement emailed to MT Newswires.

Optum Rx put Journavx on a "non-preferred" brand name drugs tier on two of its approved drugs lists called formularies, for commercial plans, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing a recent formulary update.

The tier 3 designation means that Journavx will be covered but will likely be more expensive than drugs on tiers 1 and 2 that are usually reserved for low-cost generics or preferred brand-name drugs, the report said.

Journavx was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe acute pain.

UnitedHealth didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.

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