8 Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A. The assessment report for this appraisal was prepared by Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre, University of Southampton:

  • Loveman E, Jones J, Hartwell D et al. The clinical and cost effectiveness of topotecan for small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation, March 2009

B. Additional evidence for this appraisal was prepared by Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre, University of Southampton:

  • Loveman E, Jones J, Hartwell D et al. Addendum to SHTAC's Technology Assessment Report on the clinical and cost effectiveness of topotecan for small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation, August 2009

C. 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) Manufacturer/sponsor:

  • GlaxoSmithKline (oral and intravenous topotecan)

II) Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • British Thoracic Society

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Physicians (Medical Oncology Joint Special Committee)

  • Breathe Easy

  • Macmillan Cancer Support

  • Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

  • South Asian Health Foundation

III) Other consultees

  • Department of Health

  • Berkshire East Teaching PCT

  • Powys LHB PCT

  • Welsh Assembly Government

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

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

  • NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

  • Pfizer (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin)

  • Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre, University of Southampton

  • National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme (HTA Programme)

  • National Collaborating Centre for Cancer

D. The following individuals were selected from clinical specialist and patient expert nominations from the non-manufacturer/sponsor 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 topotecan for the treatment of relapsed small-cell lung cancer by attending the initial Committee discussion and/or providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

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

  • Dr Jeremy Braybrooke, Consultant Medical Oncologist, British Haematology and Oncology Centre University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, representing National Collaborating Centre for Cancer – clinical specialist

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)