Vol. 4 No. 7 (2024)
Reimbursement Recommendations

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

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Published July 15, 2024

Key Messages

  • CADTH recommends that Keytruda should be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumours express programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) if certain conditions are met.
  • Keytruda should only be covered to treat adult patients who have not received previous treatment for advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ cancer and have good performance status.
  • Keytruda should only be reimbursed if prescribed in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine, and platinum-containing chemotherapy by a clinician with expertise and experience in treating gastric and GEJ cancer.