GW Pharmaceuticals and Bayer announced that Health Canada has approved Sativex, a cannabis-derived pharmaceutical treatment, as adjunctive analgesic treatment in adult patients with advanced cancer who experience moderate-to-severe pain during the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy for persistent background pain.

Health Canada has approved Sativex under the Notice of Compliance with conditions policy. This authorization reflects the promising nature of the clinical evidence that will be confirmed with further studies, GW and Bayer said.

In 2005, Health Canada approved Sativex for the treatment of neruopathic pain in adults with multiple sclerosis, the companies said.

Sativex is a buccal spray composed primarily of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, the companies added.