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,

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