A cannabis-based medicine formulated by a UK company to help sufferers of multiple sclerosis has been approved for use for the first time in Canada.

GW Pharmaceuticals and Bayer HealthCare announced yesterday that Sativex oral spray was given the go-ahead in Canada to treat neuropathic pain in adults with MS.

The move has raised hopes that the drug will soon be available to thousands of patients in the UK.

The UK medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency is expected to complete its review of the spray as a treatment for spasticity in MS in the summer.

Sativex was produced as a result of research by UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Bayer HealthCare.

Shares in GW Pharmaceuticals jumped 11.5p to reach 132.5p yesterday.