News

News, 15 Mar 2024

Better Bone Health – Fracture Risk

A week after International Women’s Day, NRAS are highlighting the risk of osteoporosis for women and the campaign started by the Royal Osteoporosis Society for better bone health. “Half of women over the age of 50 will suffer fractures because of osteoporosis, and a fifth of men. That’s every other mother, every other grandmother.” It […]

News, 13 Mar 2024

Prescription Charges: Up for debate

For the first time in nearly 2 years, a debate was held in Parliament in response to the petition called to review prescription charges for people with chronic or long-term health conditions. On 11 March 2024, a debate was held in Westminster Hall to discuss a petition relating to prescription charges for people with chronic […]

News, 29 Feb 2024

Martha’s Rule: How does it affect those with RA or JIA?

What is it? Martha’s Rule or ‘Martha’s Law’ is referring to a new patient safety initiative being enacted by NHS England in April 2024. This was announced in February 2024 and is being colloquially called by the media the “right to a second opinion”. The Rule being proposed, but not yet finalised, is to allow […]

News, 26 Feb 2024

ABPI publication: How to make sure patients get faster and fairer access to new medicines

NRAS CEO Clare Jacklin is a member of the ABPI Patient Advisory Council which has produced this report. UK governments and NHS leaders need to start with a holistic view of patient need and improve fair access to the latest medical advances which could help improve patient outcomes, wherever someone lives, and whatever their social […]

News, 01 Jan 2024

UK Competition and Markets Authority publishes world first statement on combination therapies

NRAS is pleased to inform you that the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a statement setting out that it will not prioritise investigations under the Competition Act 1998 into specific forms of engagement between medicine manufacturers which are carried out in good faith and aimed at making a combination therapy available to NHS patients in the UK, where […]

News, 08 Dec 2023

Important changes to the way eligible patients can access free lateral flow tests

From 6th November 2023, eligible patients in England can access free lateral flow tests directly from their local community pharmacies. This will replace the current online and telephone ordering services provided by GOV.UK and 119. We will amend this information for the devolved nations when we have an update. To check your eligibility to free […]

News, 24 Nov 2023

Joint statement on House of Lords report on Homecare Medicines Services

As organisations representing both patients and clinicians, who rely upon and work with homecare medicines services, we are encouraged by the direction set out in the House of Lords Public Services Committee report, Homecare Medicines Services: An opportunity lost. Bringing care closer to home for patients and reducing the burden on overstretched and under-resourced NHS […]

News, 10 Nov 2023

Why should you become a Member of NRAS?

Most of us are fully aware, that access to a good support network around you comes with countless perks. Whether it’s a sense of belonging, the power of connection or the mental health benefits, we all need social interactions to some extent. However, as we get older and people’s responsibilities shift, this can, for many […]

News, 19 Oct 2023

Campaign launched to help people save money on prescriptions

A new NHS England campaign aims to raise awareness of prescription saving schemes. A Prescription Prepayment Certificate will save people money if they pay for more than three items in three months, or 11 items in 12 months. The certificate covers all NHS prescriptions for a set pre-paid price, which can also be spread over […]