8 Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A. The assessment report for this appraisal was prepared by Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group (LRiG):

  • Greenhalgh J, Bagust A, Boland A et al. Erlotinib and gefitinib for treating non‑small‑cell lung cancer that has progressed following prior chemotherapy (review of NICE technology appraisals 162 and 175), October 2013.

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, assessment report and the appraisal consultation document (ACD). Organisations listed in I, II and III were also invited to make written submissions and have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

I. Companies:

  • AstraZeneca

  • Roche Products

II. Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • British Thoracic Society

  • National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses

  • Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

III. Other consultees:

  • None

IV. Commentator organisations (without the right of appeal):

  • British Thoracic Oncology Group

  • Health Improvement Scotland

  • National Collaborating Centre for Cancer

C. The following individuals were selected from clinical expert and patient expert nominations from the consultees and commentators. They participated in the Appraisal Committee discussions and provided evidence to inform the Appraisal Committee's deliberations. They gave their expert personal view on erlotinib and gefitinib by attending the initial Committee discussion and/or providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Paul Bishop, Consultant Histopathologist, nominated by the Royal College of Pathologists – clinical expert

  • Dr Yvonne Summers, Consultant Medical Oncologist, nominated by the Royal College of Physicians – clinical expert

  • Dr Jesme Fox, Medical Director, nominated by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation – patient expert

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

  • AstraZeneca

  • Roche Products

E. Other sources of evidence considered by the Committee that were not included or considered in the companies submission or Assessment Group's submission:

  • Morgan A, Sutton A and Wailoo A (2007). The risks and costs of febrile neutropenia in patients with non‑small‑cell lung cancer treated with docetaxel. NICE Decision Support Unit.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)