8 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

  • Jones J et al. (2014) Imatinib for the adjuvant treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (review of TA196).

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. Company:

  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals

II. Professional/specialist and patient/carer groups:

  • GIST Support UK

  • Sarcoma UK

  • Cancer Research UK

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

III. Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • NHS Blackpool CCG

  • NHS England

  • Welsh Government

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

  • Commissioning Support Appraisals Service

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

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

  • National Collaborating Centre for Cancer

C. The following individuals were selected from clinical and patient expert nominations from the consultees and commentators. They gave their expert personal view on imatinib for the adjuvant treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours by attending the initial Committee discussion and providing written evidence to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Professor Ian Judson, Consultant Medical Oncologist, nominated by GIST Support UK – clinical expert

  • Dr Newton ACS Wong, Consultant Histopathologist – clinical expert

  • Mr Nic Puntis, Trustee, nominated by GIST Support UK – patient expert

  • Mrs Barbara Doré, Chair, nominated by GIST Support UK – patient expert

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

  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)