Appendix B: Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A The Evidence Review Group (ERG) report for this appraisal was prepared by the Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group:

  • Bagust A, Boland A, Blundell M, et al. Rituximab for the first-line maintenance treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, October, 2010

B 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 documents (ACD1 and ACD2). Organisations listed in I were also invited to make written submissions. Organisations listed in II and III had the opportunity to give their expert views. Organisations listed in I, II and III also have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

I Manufacturer/sponsor:

  • Roche Products

II Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • British Society for Haematology

  • Cancer Networks Pharmacists Forum

  • Cancer Research UK

  • Leukaemia CARE

  • Lymphoma Association

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians, Medical Oncology Joint Special Committee

  • United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society

III Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • NHS Camden

  • Welsh Assembly Government

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

  • British National Formulary

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

  • Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland

  • Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

  • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

  • NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

C 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 by attending the initial Committee discussion and providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD1 and ACD2.

  • Professor Peter Johnson, Professor of Medical Oncology, nominated by National Cancer Research Institute/Royal College of Physicians/Royal College of Radiologists/Association of Cancer Physicians/Joint Collegiate Council for Oncology – clinical specialist

  • Dr Helen McCarthy, Consultant Haematologist, nominated by the Royal College of Pathologists – clinical specialist

  • Dr Robert Marcus, Consultant Haematologist, nominated by National Cancer Research Institute/Royal College of Physicians/Royal College of Radiologists/Association of Cancer Physicians/Joint Collegiate Council for Oncology – clinical specialist

  • Mandy Childs, nominated by Lymphoma CARE – patient expert

  • Elizabeth Nelson, nominated by the Lymphoma Association – patient expert

D Representatives from the following manufacturer/sponsor attended Committee Meetings. They contributed only when asked by the Committee chair to clarify specific issues and comment on factual accuracy.

  • Roche Products

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)