The Boston-based company's new medication, called Journavx, is being placed on a tier that means it might be costlier than other pain treatments on UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s approved drug lists.

Optum Rx, the pharmacy benefit manager owned by UnitedHealth Group, placed Journavx on some of its commercial formularies in an interim decision while a formal review continues.

Vertex Pharma (VRTX) stock slips as UnitedHealth (UNH) offers its pain drug Journavx Tier 3 coverage, setting a rivalry with cheaper Tier 1 and 2 drugs. Read more here.

Non-opioid pain therapies are entering an unprecedented era, marked by the landmark FDA approval of Vertex’s Journavx and a growing number of alternative approaches. Their ultimate uptake, however, remains to be seen.