December 2009 - The British Society for Rheumatology

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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 ➜ 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 2
Society|News www.rheumatology.org.uk Chair of BSR Biologics Register (BSRBR) Steering Committee BSR Executive in action BSR elections 2010 The elections are being run by the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) and nomination packs will be available from early January 2010 on request. While the closing date for nominations is Thursday 25 March you are advised to make your nominations by 15 March 2010 at the very latest. This will enable ERS to check the forms and accompanying paperwork and return them to you in good time if something is incorrect in time for the final deadline. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the nomination form is complete and that all required paperwork is sent to ERS before the deadline. If more candidates are nominated than the number of vacancies the Society will hold a ballot of ordinary members. The deadline is currently set for 14 April 2010 which will be strictly adhered to. Election criteria and responsibilities will be detailed on the nomination form. Candidates must be proposed and seconded by ordinary members of the Society, and will be asked to submit a brief statement of no more than 300 words explaining his/her suitability as a candidate, and to complete a Declaration of Interest form. Any correspondence regarding the nomination process should be directed to ERS. Please contact Charlene Hannon on 020 8365 8909 or charlene.hannon@electoralreform.co.uk. Your email subject header should read ‘BSR election nomination form request’. Vacant posts: • Assistant Treasurer for one year then Honorary Treasurer for three years. Proposed by two ordinary members and seconded by two. • Chair Elect of External Relations Committee for one year then three years as Chair. Proposed by two ordinary members and seconded by two. • Council members: 4 vacancies to be elected on a regional basis from Scotland, Wales, South East Coast and the South West – for three years. Proposed by one ordinary member and seconded by one. Please visit www.rheumatology.org.uk for a summary of what the roles entail. Full details will be in the nomination packs. • Chair Elect of the Biologics Register - This appointed post follows different procedures and will be administered by BSR. Please direct any other queries about the nature of the posts or duties involved to Sue Murray-Johnson at BSR on 020 7842 0900 or mhughes@rheumatology.org.uk. Sue Murray-Johnson, Deputy Chief Executive, BSR ➜ Rheumatology call for papers Registries in rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions Rheumatology plans to publish a themed issue dedicated to registries. The aim is to collate one collective issue of reviews and to invite original research that will add to this area of basic and clinical investigation. Deadline for submission of manuscripts: 1 April 2010 The position of chair-elect of the BSRBR Steering Committee is open for appointment for 2010 and nominations are sought from members. The post is open to ordinary members of the Society. The position is initially for a three-year term of office including one year as Chair-elect. The Chair is a co-opted trustee and attends BSR Executive meetings. Background The BSRBR was established in 2001. The Register, which is based in the arc Epidemiology Unit (AEU) at the University of Manchester, involves long term analysis of 4,000 patients treated with each of etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab, 1,100 patients treated with rituximab and just fewer than 4,000 controls (patients with active rheumatoid arthritis not being treated with biologic agents). It is likely that additional diseases and newer biological agents will also be incorporated into the Committee’s remit. Purpose The purpose of the Steering Committee is to oversee the Register, ensuring that the agreed objectives of patient recruitment, data capture and analysis, and patient safety are met in a timely manner and within budget. It reports to the BSR Executive. Role of Chair The role of the Chair of the BSRBR Steering Committee is to: 1. Chair the Register Committee four times a year and on the one occasion when the committee meets representatives from the pharmaceutical companies that support the register. 2. Attend regular meetings with the pharmaceutical company funders (up to three per year). 3. Attend any other meetings as required for the smooth running of the committee. 4. Report annually to the BSR Executive and provide objectives, goals and finances for the forthcoming year for approval. 5. Liaise on a regular basis with BSR staff. 6. Review, collate, and respond on behalf of stakeholders to abstracts, presentations and manuscripts circulated prior to publication. 7. Participate in discussions with pharmaceutical companies wishing to join the Register with new biological agents. Nomination forms will be available at www.rheumatology.org.uk. Please feel free to email Nia Taylor on ntaylor@rheumatology.org.uk for further information. Closing date is 22 nd January 2010. 3
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December 2009 - The British Society for Rheumatology

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