The cost of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with insurance varies depending on several factors, including the patient's insurance plan, location, and medical condition being treated. However, we can provide some general information on the pricing of Keytruda.
According to the manufacturer's website, [1] Merck, the maker of Keytruda, offers a patient assistance program called Merck Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which provides financial assistance to eligible patients.
As per the data from DrugPatentWatch.com [2], the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for a 100mg vial of Keytruda can range from $2,250 to $2,350.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that the cost of Keytruda ranged from $154,000 to $213,000 per patient per year, depending on the tumor type and treatment duration [3]. However, the authors noted that these costs are largely reduced with insurance coverage.
A more recent survey conducted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) found that Keytruda costs around $12,000 per month for patients with advanced melanoma, but this amount is likely lower with insurance coverage [4].
To give a better estimate of the costs with insurance, a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analysis found that Keytruda costs around $8,000 to $15,000 per month for commercial insurance plans, but these costs are significantly reduced for patients with government-funded insurance, such as Medicare [5].
In summary, the cost of Keytruda with insurance can range from approximately $8,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on the insurance plan, location, and medical condition being treated.
Sources:
[1] Merck. (n.d.). Merck Patient Assistance Program. Retrieved from https://www.merck.com/our-company/accessing-the-medicine-we-have-developed/for-patients/merck-patient-assistance-program.html
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Pembrolizumab - Merck & Co. Retrieved from https://drugpatentwatch.com/drug/pembrolizumab
[3] Schrag, D., et al. (2015). The cost of cancer care: Factors influencing treatment decisions. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33(15), 1708-1717. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.61.1116
[4] Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). (2020). The Cost of a Cure: How Medicine is Changing the World. Retrieved from https://phrma.org/our-positions-and-reports/the-cost-of-a-cure/
[5] Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2022). 2022 Employer Health Benefits Survey. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/report-portfolio/ehbs-2022/
Sources:
1. https://www.merck.com/our-company/accessing-the-medicine-we-have-developed/for-patients/merck-patient-assistance-program.html
2. https://drugpatentwatch.com/drug/pembrolizumab
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441420/
4. https://phrma.org/our-positions-and-reports/the-cost-of-a-cure/
5. https://www.kff.org/report-portfolio/ehbs-2022/