December 2009 - The British Society for Rheumatology

Society|News
BSR Biologics Register
We are entering an exciting new phase of a project which
started eight years ago.
Following the independent proposal submitted to us by
Professor Barry Bresnihan, we are now actively seeking to
establish an ankylosing spondylitis register. We recruited Lorna
Layward to help with the setting up of the project. Funds for
Lorna’s appointment (one year in the first instance) have been
raised from industry, NASS and BSR itself. She will organise the
formal advertising for a rheumatology centre to undertake the
project, a review and interview panel for applications received,
ensuring that the register is established to ask a set of scientific
questions and that it obtains the support of the local clinical
trials network. Lorna and I, together with Nia Taylor, the overall
Biologics Register manager, have already started to engage the
pharmaceutical companies to establish the level of their
interests (and we hope their support!).
We are concomitantly talking to pharmaceutical companies
whose biologic agents are now going through a rather torturous
process to gain NICE approval. NICE strongly recommends the
BSRBR model as a means of establishing long-term pharma
vigilance and it is thus very likely that we will be asked to set up
registers for these drugs as and when approval has been
obtained. Finally, we are looking for people to join the
committee so if you are interested, please do let us know
as soon as possible.
Professor David Isenberg, Chair,
BSRBR Steering Committee
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NICE update
BSR is involved in a number of NICE appraisals:
Certolizumab - The Appraisal Consultation Document, issued in
October, did not recommend certolizumab as a treatment option for
people with RA. BSR sent comments on the ACD on 9 November
2009, condemning this initial decision, and calling on NICE to ensure
that certolizumab was available as an important addition to the
therapeutic armoury needed to help patients with RA. The finalised
guidance is expected to be issued in February 2010.
Tocilizumab - The Appraisal Consultation Document was issued in
late September 2009. It did not recommend tocilizumab for the
treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. BSR
commented on the ACD on 22 October 2009, again, calling on NICE
to ensure that tocilizumab was available to help patients with RA.
Depression with a chronic physical health problem -
In October NICE published clinical guidelines on the treatment and
management of depression in adults with chronic physical health
problems.
Golimumab - The three appraisals on golimumab (for the treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis after failure of previous anti-rheumatic drugs,
for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (methotrexate-naïve) and for
the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis) have all been suspended at
the request of the manufacturer, as they were not in a position to
submit evidence. We will keep you updated on any developments.
Denosumab for osteoporotic fractures - BSR has registered as a
consultee for this appraisal. The first Appraisal Committee meeting is
taking place on 27th April 2010 and the guidance is expected to be
issued, at the earliest, in September 2010.
BSR needs you!
Why should anyone do more than just their job? We all work hard and have numerous
deadlines, targets, quotas etc. But at the end of the day doctors aren’t really loners,
we work in teams. These teams may be just within one hospital. This is certainly
appropriate when first appointed as a Consultant, but at the same time we have to
keep up to date. Thus we read journals, we enjoy going to meetings, we like our work
to be published or presented. We become members of BSR to receive many benefits
including courses, annual conference and supply of the Journal.
Eventually though the job becomes a bit routine, most of your activities run smoothly
and you might have spare time. Perhaps at this point it would be worthwhile taking on
a new challenge and giving something back to the service that has nourished you.
This could be local such as working with the Deanery to help in the training of SpR’s
or with the College as a Speciality Advisor.
Alternatively you could become involved with BSR. The BSR Council is becoming
‘regionalised’ which means that each region will elect a council member to present
‘the regional view’ at Council. It also gives you the opportunity to belong to some of
the Committees such as Education and Training, Clinical Affairs, Heberden and
External Relations. Clearly becoming involved can be stimulating; it also improves
your CV and can provide ‘filling’ for those tiresome ACCEA domains!
If you are interested in becoming more involved with BSR please contact our
Chief Executive, Samantha Peters, on speters@rheumatology.org.uk.
Dr Colin Pease, Honorary Secretary, BSR
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