Archived articles

NRAS welcomes NICE guidance on RoActemra - widening access to Biologic Therapies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

On Friday 2nd July, NICE issued guidance on Tocilizumab.  The Guidance states that Tocilizumab, (RoActemra) in combination with methotrexate, is recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in people whose rheumatoid arthritis has responded inadequately to one or more tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors andwhose rheumatoid arthritis has responded inadequately to rituximab or in whom rituximab is contraindicated or when rituximab is withdrawn because of an adverse effect. More...

NICE recommends 2nd Anti-TNF and Abatacept as treatment options for RA following failure of a first Anti-TNF

On Friday 25th June, NICE issued long awaited guidance about treatment options for adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to, or have an intolerance of, other DMARDs, including at least one TNF inhibitor. More...

'Who Sees What?'

Have you ever wondered how your personal health records are stored and who has access to them? Do you want to know more about how things might change as the NHS shifts to a system of electronic records? Now is your chance to learn what the NHS plans to do with your personal information, and to let the government know what you think. Patients, carers, health workers and members of the public are being invited to have their say through a six-month national consultation, organised by the New Economics Foundation, from September 2009 to February 2010. More...

'Shaping the Future of Care Together' - Government report on reforming care & support system

A green paper report called ‘Shaping the Future of Care Together’ has been published by the Secretary of State for Health and was presented to Parliament on 14th July 2009. The report looks at ways to reform the current care and support system. One of the items reviewed in the report is the possibility of integrating some benefits, in particular Attendance Allowance (AA). More...

NRAS Press Release on National Audit Office Report on RA

NRAS CALLS FOR A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE TIME TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has today called for a national campaign to improve awareness about Rheumatoid Arthritis so people can seek swift treatment and prevent long term joint damage and disability. This follows the publication of research by the National Audit Office (NAO) that has revealed a very worrying lack of awareness about RA among the public, health professionals and commissioners. More...

NICE preliminary guidance on Certolizumab (Cimzia) A ‘Minded’ No

20th October, 2009