Canada has become the first country to endorse the cannabis-derived drug, Sativex. The drug is beneficial in treating the central nervous system and reducing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. German pharmaceutical giant Bayer will market the drug in Canada. Sativex will be available for sale later this spring. Initially the mouth spray version of the medicine will be available throughout Canada. UK biotech company GW Pharmaceuticals has manufactured Sativex. The company ahs also claimed that this is the world's first approval of a drug derived from cannabis. According to the statement issued by Health Canada, "The approval of Sativex reflects the urgent need for additional treatment options in the field of neuropathic pain in MS." GW Pharmaceuticals had plans to introduce the drug in UK in 2003. But the UK government said it wanted more evidence about the drug's benefits before they granted approval. GW will also try to win U.S. approval of this cannabis-derived drug this year.