Appendix B: Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A The assessment report for this appraisal was prepared by School of Health Related Research (ScHARR):

  • Papaioannou D, Rafia R, Rathbone J et al. Rituximab for the first-line treatment of stage III–IV follicular lymphoma (review of TA 110). Health Technology Assessment

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 Manufacturers/sponsors:

  • Roche Pharmaceuticals

II Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • Leukaemia CARE

  • Lymphoma Association

  • Macmillan Cancer Support

  • British Society for Haematology

  • Cancer Research UK

  • Royal College

  • Royal of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

III Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • North Tyneside PCT

  • Welsh Assembly Government

IV Commentator organisations (without the right of appeal):

  • British National Formulary

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

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

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

  • Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research

  • National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme

  • School of Health & Related Research Sheffield

C 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 rituximab by attending the initial Committee discussion and/or providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Anne Parker, nominated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland – clinical specialist

  • Andrew Barton, nominated by Lymphoma Association – patient expert

  • Karen Jolliffe, nominated by Lymphoma Association – patient expert

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

  • Roche Pharmaceuticals

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)