7 Sources of evidence considered by the committee

A. The Evidence review group (ERG) report for this appraisal was prepared by Southampton Health Technology Assessment Centre:

  • Cooper K, Bryant J Harris P et al., Alemtuzumab for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, September 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, the ERG report and the appraisal consultation document (ACD). 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:

  • Genzyme

II. Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • Association of British Neurologists

  • Multiple Sclerosis Society

  • Multiple Sclerosis Trust

  • Primary Care Neurology Society

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

  • United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association

  • United Kingdom Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse Association

III. Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • NHS England

  • Welsh Government

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

  • Biogen

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

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

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

  • Merck Serono

  • Novartis

  • Teva

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 alemtuzumab by attending the initial Committee discussion and providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Alisdair Coles, University Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, University of Cambridge, nominated by Genzyme – clinical specialist

  • Sam Colhoun, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Multiple Sclerosis, UK MS Specialist Nurse Association, nominated by the UK MS Specialist Nurse Association (UKMSSNA) – clinical specialist

  • Dr Richard Nicholas, Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Trust – clinical specialist

  • Helen Burchmore, nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society – patient expert

  • Nick Rijke, Director of Policy and Research, the MS Society, nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society – 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.

  • Genzyme

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)