Appendix B: Sources of evidence considered by the committee

The evidence review group (ERG) report for this appraisal was prepared by West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration:

  • Dretzke J, et al. (2009) Rituximab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The following organisations accepted the invitation to participate in this appraisal as consultees and commentators. They were invited to comment on the draft scope, the ERG report and the appraisal consultation document (ACD). The manufacturer/sponsor was also invited to make written submissions. The professional/specialist and patient/carer groups and other consultees had the opportunity to give their expert views and, along with the manufacturer/sponsor, also have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

  • Manufacturer/sponsor:

    • Roche Products

  • Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

    • British Society for Haematology

    • Cancer Research UK

    • Royal College of Nursing

    • Royal College of Pathologists

    • Royal College of Physicians, Medical Oncology Joint Special Committee

    • United Kingdom CLL Forum

    • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Support Association (CLLSA)

    • Leukaemia CARE

    • Macmillan Cancer Support

  • Other consultees:

    • Department of Health

    • Knowsley PCT

    • Welsh Assembly Government

  • Commentator organisations (did not provide written evidence and without the right of appeal):

    • Bayer (fludarabine)

    • Pfizer (cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, doxorubicin)

    • Institute of Cancer Research

    • Leukaemia Research Fund

    • National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme

    • West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration (WMHTAC)

    • National Collaborating Centre for Cancer.

The following individuals were selected from clinical specialist and patient expert nominations from the non-manufacturer/sponsor consultees and commentators. They gave their expert personal view on rituximab for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia by attending the initial committee discussion and providing written evidence to the committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Chris Fegan, Consultant Haematologist, nominated by Royal College of Physicians – clinical specialist

  • Professor Andrew Pettitt, Division of Haematology, nominated by Royal College of Pathologists – clinical specialist

  • Jacquelyn Williams Durkin, Trustee of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Support Association, nominated by Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Support Association – patient expert

  • Jane Barnard, Chairman of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Support Association, nominated by Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Support Association – patient expert.

Representatives from Roche Products attended committee meetings. They contributed only when asked by the committee chair to clarify specific issues and comment on factual accuracy.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)