Vol. 5 No. 7 (2025)
Reimbursement Recommendations

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

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Published July 21, 2025

Key Messages

  • Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Keytruda, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), if certain conditions are met.
  • Keytruda plus pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy should only be covered to treat adult patients who have not received prior systemic treatment for MPM and who are in relatively good health (as measured by performance status) at the start of treatment.
  • Keytruda plus pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy should only be reimbursed if it is prescribed by clinicians with experience in immune-oncology and in treating MPM, and if the cost is not higher than the drug program cost of treatment with nivolumab plus ipilimumab.