Vol. 1 No. 7 (2021)
Reimbursement Recommendations

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Published July 28, 2021

Key Messages

  • CADTH recommends that Keytruda (pembrolizumab) should be reimbursed as monotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer if certain conditions are met.
  • Keytruda should only be reimbursed if prescribed by clinicians with experience in immuno-oncology and treating colorectal cancer, and if the price of the drug is reduced.
  • Keytruda should only be covered to treat patients who have not received prior treatment for metastatic MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer and have a good performance status at the start of treatment with pembrolizumab.