Keytruda Price Per Dose vs. Per Year — Full Breakdown (2025)

A clear and up-to-date look at Keytruda (pembrolizumab) prices in 2025: cost per dose, monthly and yearly estimates, insurance coverage, assistance programs and practical tips for patients.

Quick summary

Note: figures are list (sticker) prices and may vary by supplier, hospital, and negotiated insurance rates. Out‑of‑pocket depends on your plan (deductible, copay, coinsurance).

Keytruda cost per dose (2025)

Keytruda is commonly supplied in 100 mg and 200 mg vials. Typical estimated list prices in the USA (2025):

Most regimens use 200 mg every 3 weeks (q3w) or an alternate dosing schedule every 6 weeks depending on indication.

Monthly and yearly cost estimates

Estimated averages — these are broad ranges because patient dosing and duration vary:

How insurance affects out‑of‑pocket costs

Insurance typically covers Keytruda for FDA‑approved indications, but patients still face deductibles, copays or coinsurance. Typical patient share ranges:

• Coinsurance: 5%–20% of allowed cost (varies by plan)
• Deductible: Annual deductible must be met before coverage applies on many plans
• Medicare Part B: Covers administered drugs when medically necessary, often with 20% coinsurance unless supplemental coverage exists

Tip: Always ask your insurer for a predetermination of benefits or an estimate of patient responsibility before starting treatment.

Patient assistance & manufacturer programs

Merck (the manufacturer) runs patient support programs that may provide:

• Copay assistance for eligible commercially insured patients
• Free drug programs for uninsured or low‑income patients
• Insurance navigation and prior‑authorization help

Visit the manufacturer's site for the latest program details: Keytruda official.

Factors that change the total price

1. Dosage & frequency — higher dose or longer therapy increases cost.
2. Combination regimens — adding chemo or another immunotherapy raises fees.
3. Setting of care — hospital outpatient infusion centers may bill more than outpatient clinics.
4. Geography — U.S. prices are typically higher than many other countries.

Cost table — quick reference

Related articles (internal links)

• Opdivo Cost in 2025: Nivolumab Price & Insurance
• Keytruda vs Opdivo Cost Comparison
• Cancer Drug Assistance Programs — Full List

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Keytruda cost per dose?

List prices (USA, 2025) are roughly $5,000–$5,800 per 100 mg vial and $9,900–$11,300 per 200 mg vial.

Does Medicare cover Keytruda?

Yes, Medicare Part B covers intravenous cancer drugs like Keytruda for FDA‑approved uses, but beneficiaries usually owe coinsurance and/or deductible amounts unless they have supplemental coverage.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Other PD‑1 inhibitors such as Opdivo (nivolumab) and PD‑L1 agents like Imfinzi (durvalumab) have similar price ranges. No generic pembrolizumab is available as of 2025.

How long do patients stay on Keytruda?

Treatment duration varies by cancer type and response; commonly many patients receive therapy for up to 2 years, but clinical decisions may shorten or extend that period.

Will Keytruda get cheaper soon?

Patent expirations and biosimilars could reduce prices in the late 2020s; however, timing and impact vary by market and regulatory approvals.

Sources & further reading

• Keytruda — official site (Merck)
• American Cancer Society
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Published: 2025 — This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your treating physician and insurance provider for specific cost estimates.

An expanded, up‑to‑date article on Keytruda (pembrolizumab) pricing in 2025 — per dose, per month, per year — plus insurance, manufacturer assistance, new subcutaneous dosing, and an explicit pricing table you can use in your post.

What’s new (2025)

• Merck launched a subcutaneous (under‑the‑skin) formulation of Keytruda (Keytruda QLEX/QLEXe) with new dosing options; this changes administration time and may affect how clinics bill. (See manufacturer notice.)
• Public price transparency and Medicare ASP data allow more precise calculations per mg for common regimens — we use an ASP benchmark to provide Medicare‑level estimates below.
• Manufacturer co‑pay assistance programs are active but have fixed enrollment windows and annual limits; always verify current program terms when advising patients.

Quick numbers (at a glance)

Important: published “list” prices and ASP‑based reimbursement estimates are different concepts — patients rarely pay list price, and actual out‑of‑pocket depends on insurance, site‑of‑care charges, and prior authorizations.

Detailed dosing & price table (estimates)

Table uses two reference numbers: (A) Merck’s published list price for an indicated 6‑week administration where available, and (B) a Medicare ASP per‑mg benchmark ($58.562 per mg) to compute ASP‑based estimates. Use these numbers as a transparent starting point — real invoices often differ.

Notes: ASP (Average Sales Price) estimates reflect Medicare reimbursement math and are useful to estimate payer‑level prices. Manufacturer list prices are often higher and do not reflect discounts, rebates or provider markups. Subcutaneous dosing (QLEX) introduces new dose sizes and could be priced per administration rather than strictly per mg.

Insurance, Medicare & billing practicalities

• Medicare Part B typically covers IV oncology infusions administered in outpatient settings; beneficiaries usually pay Part B deductible plus 20% coinsurance unless they have supplemental coverage.
• Hospitals and infusion centers may add facility fees and separate billing for administration — these add to patient responsibility beyond drug cost.
• Ask the clinic for a "predetermination" or an itemized estimate and get an explanation of benefits (EOB) from the insurer to understand real out‑of‑pocket cost.

Manufacturer assistance & patient programs

Merck runs co‑pay and patient assistance programs. Typical features (verify current terms before publishing):

• Co‑pay assistance for eligible commercially insured patients (example: $25 per infusion with an annual maximum benefit; program terms and end dates change — confirm before linking).
• Patient assistance for uninsured or low‑income patients (application and eligibility required).
• Prior‑authorization and insurance navigation support through manufacturer platforms.

Patent timeline & biosimilar outlook

Keytruda’s global patent picture is complex. Key patents in many markets are approaching expiry in 2028, and lifecycle extensions (SPCs, pediatric extensions) can extend exclusivity in some jurisdictions into the early 2030s. Biosimilar competition is expected after core exclusivity windows close, and Medicare drug negotiation initiatives may affect prices for high‑spend drugs in the latter half of this decade.

Related articles (internal link ideas)

• Opdivo Cost in 2025: Nivolumab Price & Insurance
• Keytruda vs Opdivo Cost Comparison
• Cancer Drug Assistance Programs — Full List

FAQs (updated)

How much does Keytruda cost per dose?

List prices and payer reimbursements vary — common ASP‑based estimates are ~$11,712 per 200 mg administration; manufacturer list prices for a 6‑week administration are published near $23,590.88.

Does Medicare cover Keytruda?

Yes — Medicare Part B typically covers outpatient infusion drugs when medically necessary; beneficiaries still face coinsurance/deductible. Facility charges and administration fees are additional.

Will the subcutaneous version change price?

It may. Subcutaneous products can be priced per administration and may change clinic workflows and billing. Manufacturer pricing for QLEX may differ from IV per‑mg pricing.

Are there assistance programs?

Yes. Merck’s patient assistance and co‑pay programs exist but have eligibility rules, capped benefits and enrollment windows. Always verify current program details before advising patients.

Sources & further reading

• Keytruda — Cost, Insurance & Financial Support (Merck)
• KEYTRUDA FDA Label — dosing information
• Merck press release — Keytruda QLEX (subcutaneous)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Keytruda price guide & co‑pay details (Drugs.com)

Published: 2025 — This article is informational only. Always consult treating physicians and insurers for exact cost estimates and up‑to‑date program terms.