Open AccessPembrolizumab (Keytruda)
Author(s) -
Reimbursement Team
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
canadian journal of health technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2563-6596
DOI - 10.51731/cjht.2021.228
Subject(s) - medicine , pembrolizumab , gastroesophageal junction , oncology , esophageal cancer , chemotherapy , esophagogastric junction , cancer , surgery , general surgery , adenocarcinoma , immunotherapy
CADTH recommends that Keytruda should be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of esophageal or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or is metastatic, 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 EGJ cancer and who have good performance status.
Keytruda should only be reimbursed if prescribed in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine–based chemotherapy and given by a clinician who is experienced in treating cancer. The price of Keytruda must be lowered to be cost-effective and affordable.