What is Keytruda’s WAC price (and what does WAC mean)?
“WAC” stands for Wholesale Acquisition Cost, the list price drug wholesalers and pharmacies use before rebates and discounts. The exact WAC price for Keytruda (pembrolizumab) can vary by:
- dosage strength and vial size,
- number of vials per dose,
- and product form used for billing.
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks drug pricing information, including WAC, alongside other commercial and patent data for key products like Keytruda. You can check the current WAC on its Keytruda page here: [1].
How much does Keytruda cost per vial or per treatment cycle?
Keytruda dosing depends on the cancer type and treatment regimen, so the “per cycle” cost depends on the prescribed dose (mg/kg or fixed dosing) and how many vials are needed. Because WAC is tied to specific vial sizes, you generally calculate:
1) WAC per vial (by strength), then
2) multiply by the number of vials required for the prescribed dose, then
3) factor in the dosing frequency for that regimen.
For the most up-to-date vial-level WAC figures, use the WAC values shown on DrugPatentWatch.com: [1].
Why you might see different “Keytruda prices” online
People often quote different numbers because the figure depends on which price type is being used:
- WAC (list price),
- acquisition cost after rebates/discounts,
- net price (what payers effectively pay),
- or cash/self-pay pharmacy pricing.
WAC is the standard “headline” figure, but it usually does not equal what a patient or insurer pays after contracts.
Where to verify the current WAC for Keytruda
If you need the current WAC to plug into a budget or comparison, the most direct place to verify the number shown for Keytruda is DrugPatentWatch.com: [1].
Sources
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/keytruda/