Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

  • Technology appraisal guidance
  • TA247
  • Published: 
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7 Sources of evidence considered by the Committee

The Evidence Review Group (ERG) report for TA198 Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was prepared by West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration:

  • Meads C, Jit M, Tsourapas A, Ashfaq K, Connock M, Bayliss S, Jobanutra P, Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, April 2009

The Decision Support Unit (DSU) report for TA198 Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was prepared by the Centre for Health Economics, University of York:

  • Palmer S, Sculpher M, Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, May 2010

The DSU report for this appraisal Rheumatoid arthritis – tocilizumab (rapid review TA198) was prepared by the School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield:

  • Minton J, Tappenden P, Tosh J, Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, September 2011

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). Manufacturers or sponsors were also invited to make written submissions. Professional or specialist, patient or carer groups, and other consultees, had the opportunity to give their expert views. Manufacturers or sponsors, professional or specialist, patient or carer groups, and other consultees, also have the opportunity to appeal against the final appraisal determination.

Manufacturers or sponsors:

  • Roche Products

Professional or specialist, and patient or carer groups:

  • Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

  • Arthritis Care

  • National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

  • British Health Professionals in Rheumatology

  • British Society for Rheumatology

  • Royal College of Nursing

  • Royal College of Pathologists

  • Royal College of Physicians

Other consultees:

  • Department of Health

  • Welsh Government

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

  • Abbott Laboratories (adalimumab)

  • AstraZeneca UK (chloroquine)

  • GlaxoSmithKline (azathioprine)

  • Novartis (ciclosporin)

  • Pfizer (methotrexate, sulfasalazine)

  • Roche Products (rituximab)

  • Sanofi–Aventis (hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, sodium aurothiomalate)

  • Schering-Plough (infliximab)

  • Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (etanercept)

  • West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration

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

The following individuals were selected from clinical specialist and patient expert nominations from the non-manufacturer or sponsor consultees and commentators. They gave their expert personal view on the original TA198 Tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by attending the initial Committee discussion and providing written evidence to the Committee. They are invited to comment on the ACD.

  • Dr Pavaladurai Vijayadurai, Consultant Immunologist nominated by Royal College of Pathologists – clinical expert

  • Professor Peter C Taylor, Professor of Experimental Rheumatology and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist, nominated by The British Society for Rheumatology – clinical expert

  • Dr Andrew J K Oster, Consultant Rheumatologist and Associate Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge and Director, Rheumatology Clinical Research Unit, nominated by The British Society for Rheumatology – clinical expert

  • Ms Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), nominated by National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) – patient expert

  • Ms Jean Burke, Management Consultant, Comma Consulting, nominated by National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) – patient expert

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

  • Roche Products