Resource Hub Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am... Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic... About NRAS Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type... Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNFs were the first of the biologic medicines to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce, so were expensive for the NHS to buy. They had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and CareExcellence (NICE), who determine whether or not […] Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week Background Tocilizumab was at first only available as an infusion but more recently has become available in syringe and pen devices that can be self-administered. How […] Article Abatacept Original Biologic drug Method of administration Abatacept (Orencia) Monthly intravenous infusion or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection How does it work? Abatacept works in a slightly different way to other biologic medicines. Abatacept targets white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which regulate the activity of the immune system. It stops the T-lymphocytes from being switched […] Article Royal College of Nursing and NHS England briefing on biologics In the last 12 months, we have also been working on the NHSE Adalimumab Patient Working Panel regarding the introduction of Humira biosimilars (4 came to market end 2019). It has come to our notice that not all specialist nurses and allied health professionals are aware of or have seen the NHSE Briefing on Best […] Article Biosimilar adalimumab is a test of shared decision making in the NHS Co-written by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, RNIB, Birdshot Uveitis Society, Psoriasis Association and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Adalimumab is one of several biological drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, non-infectious posterior uveitis, Crohn’s and colitis. While some patients will […] Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe. […] Article Live vaccines Nasal flu vaccines NRAS had an enquiry about the “nasal” spray flu vaccine that is being rolled out in schools to children which prompted us to ask some of our medical advisors for some guidance. The concern is that the “nasal” vaccine is a live vaccine, and of course, these are not recommended for children or young […] Article Keep taking the pills The critical importance of adherence in the management of rheumatoid arthritis The vocabulary may have moved on from compliance (or concordance)which, in the era of increasing patient involvement in decisions and a more collaborative approach to care, now seems judgemental and implies obedience – is something with which we all still struggle. For chronic disease […] Article Photosensitivity Photosensitivity is the amount to which an object reacts upon to ‘photons’, which are particles that can be found in sunlight. If a person is ‘photosensitive’ because of a health condition or a medication they are taking, this can lead them to get reactions to sunlight, for example, sunburn, more easily than other people do. […] Load more ↓
Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNFs were the first of the biologic medicines to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce, so were expensive for the NHS to buy. They had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and CareExcellence (NICE), who determine whether or not […]
Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week Background Tocilizumab was at first only available as an infusion but more recently has become available in syringe and pen devices that can be self-administered. How […]
Article Abatacept Original Biologic drug Method of administration Abatacept (Orencia) Monthly intravenous infusion or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection How does it work? Abatacept works in a slightly different way to other biologic medicines. Abatacept targets white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which regulate the activity of the immune system. It stops the T-lymphocytes from being switched […]
Article Royal College of Nursing and NHS England briefing on biologics In the last 12 months, we have also been working on the NHSE Adalimumab Patient Working Panel regarding the introduction of Humira biosimilars (4 came to market end 2019). It has come to our notice that not all specialist nurses and allied health professionals are aware of or have seen the NHSE Briefing on Best […]
Article Biosimilar adalimumab is a test of shared decision making in the NHS Co-written by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, RNIB, Birdshot Uveitis Society, Psoriasis Association and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Adalimumab is one of several biological drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, non-infectious posterior uveitis, Crohn’s and colitis. While some patients will […]
Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe. […]
Article Live vaccines Nasal flu vaccines NRAS had an enquiry about the “nasal” spray flu vaccine that is being rolled out in schools to children which prompted us to ask some of our medical advisors for some guidance. The concern is that the “nasal” vaccine is a live vaccine, and of course, these are not recommended for children or young […]
Article Keep taking the pills The critical importance of adherence in the management of rheumatoid arthritis The vocabulary may have moved on from compliance (or concordance)which, in the era of increasing patient involvement in decisions and a more collaborative approach to care, now seems judgemental and implies obedience – is something with which we all still struggle. For chronic disease […]
Article Photosensitivity Photosensitivity is the amount to which an object reacts upon to ‘photons’, which are particles that can be found in sunlight. If a person is ‘photosensitive’ because of a health condition or a medication they are taking, this can lead them to get reactions to sunlight, for example, sunburn, more easily than other people do. […]