8 Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

A. The assessment report for this appraisal was prepared by CRD/CHE Technology Assessment Group (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination/Centre for Health Economics), University of York:

  • Corbett M, Soares M, Jhuti G, et al. TNF‑alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of ankylosing spondylitis (including a review of technology appraisal 143 and technology appraisal 233, December 2014

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:

  • AbbVie (adalimumab)

  • Merck, Sharp & Dohme (golimumab, infliximab)

  • Pfizer (etanercept)

  • UCB Pharma (certolizumab pegol)

  • Celltrion Healthcare/Napp Pharmaceuticals (infliximab biosimilar) – (requested to be involved during assessment report consultation)

  • Hospira UK (infliximab biosimilar) – (requested to be involved during appraisal consultation document consultation)

II. Professional/expert and patient/carer groups:

  • British Society for Rheumatology

  • National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

  • Primary Care Rheumatology Society

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Physicians

  • United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association

III. Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • NHS England

  • Welsh government

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

  • Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland (DHSSPSNI)

  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland

  • National Institute for Health Research Technology Assessment Programme (NETSCC)

  • NHS Centre for Reviews & Dissemination and Centre for Health Economics –York

  • Spondyloarthritis Guideline Development Group

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 TNF‑alpha inhibitors by attending Committee discussion and/or providing a written statement to the Committee. They were also invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Karl Gaffney, Consultant Rheumatologist, nominated by organisation representing British Society for Rheumatology – clinical expert

  • Dr Raj Sengupta, Consultant Rheumatologist, nominated by organisation representing British Society for Rheumatology – clinical expert

  • Mrs Debbie Cook, Chief Executive of National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, nominated by organisation representing National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society – patient expert

  • Mr Roger Stevens, nominated by organisation representing National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society – patient expert

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

  • AbbVie (adalimumab)

  • Celltrion Healthcare/Napp Pharmaceuticals (infliximab biosimilar)

  • Hospira UK (infliximab biosimilar)

  • Merck, Sharp & Dohme (golimumab, infliximab)

  • Pfizer (etanercept)

  • UCB Pharma (certolizumab pegol)

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)