Versus Arthritis are the charity representing the 10 million people living with arthritis in the UK. Offering support, not just for those who suffer, but also for the carers, family members and healthcare professionals of those diagnosed.

The Together Versus Arthritis campaign is featuring on branded pharmacy bags in 500 independent pharmacies across the UK. “We’re with you all the way” is the message reassuring those affected by arthritis that support is available via versusarthritis.org where services are signposted and information is available about the causes, symptoms and treatments for different types of arthritis.

Pharmacy bags are an excellent way of communicating with potential sufferers. Targeting an older demographic, as some forms of arthritis are more common in older people, the bags are placed directly into the hands of pharmacy customers, prompting them to seek advice from the pharmacist whilst in a health care environment.

Arthritis can make life tough by causing pain and making it harder to get about. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, treatments have improved greatly in recent years and, for many types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory arthritis, there’s a clear benefit in starting treatment at an early stage.

The pharmacy bag activity is running throughout the month of March.