Ibrance vs Keytruda
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Ibrance
Palbociclib
Manufactured by Pfizer
Keytruda
Pembrolizumab
Manufactured by Merck
Ibrance costs 40% less per claim than Keytruda ($10,816.00 vs $18,176.00). A generic version of Ibrance is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Ibrance | Keytruda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $10,816.00 | $18,176.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $4.5B | $7.2B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 36,000 | 82,000 |
| Total Claims | 418,000 | 398,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $125,583.00 | $88,220.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -5.6% | +28.6% |
| Generic Available | Yes | No |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jun 28, 2028 |
| Manufacturer | Pfizer | Merck |
| Condition | Cancer | Cancer |
| Generic Name | Palbociclib | Pembrolizumab |
Ibrance vs Keytruda: What the Data Shows
Ibrance (Palbociclib) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) are both used to treat cancer. Based on Medicare Part D data, Ibrance costs $10,816.00 per claim, which is 40% less than Keytruda at $18,176.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $4.5B on Ibrance and $7.2B on Keytruda. In terms of patient reach, Keytruda serves more beneficiaries (82,000 vs 36,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -5.6% for Ibrance and +28.6% for Keytruda. Keytruda saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Ibrance has a generic available, while Keytruda remains brand-only until its patent expires Jun 28, 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ibrance is cheaper at $10,816.00 per claim, compared to $18,176.00 for Keytruda. That makes Ibrance about 40% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Ibrance and Keytruda are used to treat cancer. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Ibrance has a generic version (Palbociclib) available, which is typically much cheaper. Keytruda is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Jun 28, 2028.
Medicare Part D spent $4.5B on Ibrance covering 36,000 beneficiaries, and $7.2B on Keytruda covering 82,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.