The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Journavx for short-term pain that often follows surgery or injuries. It’s the first new pharmaceutical approach to treating pain in more than 20 years,

The Vertex drug is a milestone after a long history of unsuccessful efforts to develop painkillers without the addictive potential of opioids.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new type of nonopioid painkiller from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, NBC News reported.