Appendix B: Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A The Evidence Review Group (ERG) report for this appraisal was prepared by the Centre for Review and Dissemination (CRD) and Centre for Health Economics (CHE) Technology Assessment Group:

  • Asaria M, Norman G, Hinde S et al. Fingolimod for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination/Centre for Health Economics, University of York (June 2011).

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 first and second appraisal consultation documents. 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 have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

I Manufacturer/sponsor:

  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK

II Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • Association of British Neurologists

  • Multiple Sclerosis Trust

  • Multiple Sclerosis Society

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Physicians

III Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • NHS North Yorkshire and York

  • NHS South Staffordshire

  • Welsh Government

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

  • Bayer

  • Biogen Idec

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

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

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

  • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

  • Merk Serono

  • Sanofi

  • Teva UK

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 fingolimod by attending the first two Committee discussions and providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the first and second appraisal consultation documents.

  • Victoria Matthews, Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse, MS Trust, nominated by the Royal College of Nursing – clinical specialist

  • Professor Carolyn Young, Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Professor of Neurology, Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, nominated by the British Society of Rehabilitative Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians – clinical specialist

  • Elizabeth Kinder, nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society – patient expert

  • Laura Weir, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Multiple Sclerosis Society, nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society – patient expert

Victoria Matthews, Carolyn Young and Laura Weir also attended the second Committee discussion.

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.

  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)