Despite Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s mostly positive phase III study results of a non-opioid for treating moderate to severe acute pain, the data for a key secondary endpoint show VX-548 is not as effective as Vicodin (hydrocodone, Abbvie Inc.). Neither of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pivotal studies, one treating patients after abdominoplasty surgery and one after bunionectomy surgery, met the key secondary endpoint of VX-548 being superior to hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen in patients’ pain levels.