pCODR Releases Positive Recommendation for Keytruda
We are pleased to have received a positive recommendation from the Pan Canadian Drug Oncology Review (pCODR) of Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), as a first line treatment for metastatic melanoma. This therapy will have a profound improvement in quality of life and survival for melanoma patients. MNC encourages the provinces to act to cover this breakthrough therapy for melanoma patients.
Today, the pCODR Expert Review Committee (pERC) issued the Final Recommendation for the following cancer drug products pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for metastatic melanoma.
pERC recommends funding pembrolizumab (Keytruda) conditional on the cost-effectiveness being improved to an acceptable level. Funding should be in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma (stage III or IV) who are naive to ipilimumab treatment and in patients who have failed ipilimumab and, if BRAF mutation positive, have failed BRAF mutation targeted therapies. Treatment should be in patients with an ECOG performance status of 0-1, who have stable brain metastases (if present), using the 2mg/kg dose every three weeks for 24 months or until disease progression, whichever occurs first.
Consistent with CADTH’s commitment to transparency, the following information is now posted on the CADTH website at Find a Review:
- The pERC Final Recommendation, with a detailed discussion of how the recommendation was made
- The final clinical and economic guidance reports used by pERC during its deliberation
- Feedback on the pERC Initial Recommendation submitted by the manufacturer, by the Patient Advocacy Group, and by the pCODR Provincial Advisory Group (PAG).
Visit www.cadth.ca/keytruda-metastatic-melanoma-details for more details.
About CADTH
CADTH is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for providing Canada’s health care decision-makers with objective evidence to help make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs and medical devices in our health care system. CADTH receives funding from Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, with the exception of Quebec.
Learn more at: www.cadth.ca.
