This invention provides a composition for intranasal delivery for the treatment or prevention of acute or chronic pain, which comprises an aqueous solution of (i) fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and (ii) a pectin having a degree of esterification (DE value) of less than 30% provided that the composition is substantially free of divalent metal ions； and which, in comparison to a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at the same dose, provides a peak plasma concentration of fentanyl (C max ) that is from 20 to 75% of that achieved using a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at an identical fentanyl dose.
