Vol. 4 No. 7 (2024)
Reimbursement Recommendations

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

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Published July 29, 2024

Key Messages

  • CADTH recommends that public drug plans reimburse Keytruda for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) if certain conditions are met.
  • Keytruda in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy should only be covered to treat patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC who have not received prior treatment or who have completed treatment with nongemcitabine-based neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy more than 6 months ago. Patients receiving Keytruda should be in relatively good health (i.e., have a good performance status, as determined by a specialist).
  • Keytruda should only be reimbursed if it is used in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy if prescribed by specialists with experience in managing BTC and if the cost of Keytruda does not exceed the cost of durvalumab. Keytruda should not be reimbursed if it is used to treat patients with Ampulla of Vater cancer.