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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer

Canadian Breast Cancer Network

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What breast cancer drugs are available in Canada

MedSearch

Generic Name

Pembrolizumab

Brand Name

Keytruda
Triple Negative
Stage IV (metastatic)
Immunotherapy
Merck
Intravenous
British Columbia, Quebec
Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon
No
PCPA - Approved; Provincial Review Ongoing

For tumours that express PD-L1.

Approved for reimbursement in Quebec with condition of reduced price and supervised use.

Yes - Closed

Merck Canada will be closing the patient support program on July 24, 2023 to new patient enrollments for the following indication:

Adult patients in combination with chemotherapy with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease and whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥ 10) as determined by a validated test.

As of July 25, 2023, no new enrollments will be accepted into the Program for this indication. Please note that, for patients enrolled in the Program before July 25, 2023, the Program will continue to provide i) financial assistance and/or ii) compassionate access as needed, until whichever one of the following events occurs first: either public reimbursement in your province, disease progression, completion of treatment or unacceptable toxicity.

Note that this closing is for all provinces except Quebec.

Drug Monograph

New Search

Disclaimer

FAQ's

  • Generic vs. Brand Name

    What is the difference between a Generic drug and a Brand Name drug?

    Brand name, or innovator drugs are drugs that are researched, developed and marketed by a specific pharmaceutical company. After a pharmaceutical company researches and gains approval to develop a drug they apply for a patent, allowing them to exclusively produce and sell that drug.  Patents on drugs often have an expiration date. Once the patent runs out other pharmaceutical companies are free to produce and sell the drug as well. A generic drug is a copy of the original brand name drug and uses the same active ingredients but is simply being developed by another pharmaceutical company. Generic drug manufactures are required to follow the same manufacturing and safety standards as brand name manufactures.

    For more information about the difference between generic and brand name drugs, visit the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). 

  • Provincial/Territorial Formularies

    What is the contact information for my provincial/territorial formulary?

    A list of formularies and their contact information is available HERE.

  • Income Support Programs

    Where do I find more information on income support programs to fund the cost of my drugs in my province/territory?

    Use our FinancialNavigator Database to find provincial and federal governmental income support programs and other avenues of financial support by searching “Income Supplement” and your province.

  • Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs

    How do I contact the manufacturer to inquire about whether or not a portion of, or all of the costs of a drug is covered through their Patient Assistance Program?

    You can search for all available manufacturer Patient Assistances Programs and more avenues of support on our FinancialNavigator by searching “Drug Coverage”. You can also visit Drug Access Canada for more resources on accessing breast cancer drugs in Canada.

  • Drugs that aren’t covered on a formulary

    How do I access drugs that aren’t covered on a provincial/territorial formulary?

    Learn more about programs that may help cover drugs that aren’t listed on the public formularies HERE or by searching our FinancialNavigator Database.  

    What is the Trillium Drug Program in Ontario, am I eligible and how do I apply?

    Read this Q & A fact sheet for more information on this program and how it can potentially help offset the costs of your take home cancer medications.

  • Private Insurance

    How can my private insurance help pay for drugs that aren’t covered through public funding?

    Find more information about private insurance HERE.

  • Drug approval process in Canada

    Where do I find more information about the drug approval process in Canada?

    Learn more about the drug approval process in Canada HERE.

  • Clinical Trials

    Where do I find more information about clinical trials in Canada?

    Learn more about metastatic breast cancer clinical trials in Canada HERE. 

  • Cancer Centres in Canada

    Where do I find a list of cancer centres and contact information?

    A list of cancer centres in Canada and their contact information is HERE.

  • Additional Information

    I have information to help update this tool, who do I contact?

    If you have additional information that would be helpful to include in this tool please email cbcn@cbcn.ca or call us at 1-800-685-8820.

  • Contacting CBCN

    How can I connect with CBCN directly about specific questions?

    Connect with us via email at cbcn@cbcn.ca or on the phone at 1-800-685-8820.

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About CBCN

CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.

Canadian Breast Cancer Network
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 Tel: 613-230-3044
Toll-free: 1-800-685-8820
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