On 7 August GW Pharmaceuticals and Bayer announced that Health Canada has approved Sativex, a cannabis extract with equal concentrations of dronabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which is sprayed into the mouth, as analgesic treatment in adult patients with advanced cancer, who experience moderate to severe pain during the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy.

In 2005, Health Canada approved Sativex for the treatment of neuropathic pain in adults with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Geoffrey Guy, GW’s Chairman, commented: "GW is delighted to receive Health Canada’s regulatory approval for Sativex in the relief of cancer pain. Sativex has been shown to provide important pain relief to the most high need patients with advanced cancer." The efficacy of Sativex has been demonstrated in a placebo controlled parallel group study in patients with cancer pain. The study showed that in patients with advanced cancer who were already taking the strongest available pain treatments, more than four of ten patients taking Sativex were able to achieve a further clinically important reduction in pain.

The 2007 Sativex Product Monograph is available at: http://www.bayerhealth.com/display.cfm?Object_ID=272&Article_ID=197

(Source: Press release by GW Pharmaceuticals of 7 August 2007, www.gwpharm.com)