Imbruvica vs Keytruda
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Imbruvica
Ibrutinib
Manufactured by Pharmacyclics/Janssen
Keytruda
Pembrolizumab
Manufactured by Merck
Imbruvica costs 43% less per claim than Keytruda ($10,445.00 vs $18,176.00). A generic version of Imbruvica is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Imbruvica | Keytruda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $10,445.00 | $18,176.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $5.7B | $7.2B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 48,000 | 82,000 |
| Total Claims | 548,000 | 398,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $119,250.00 | $88,220.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -8.7% | +28.6% |
| Generic Available | Yes | No |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jun 28, 2028 |
| Manufacturer | Pharmacyclics/Janssen | Merck |
| Condition | Cancer | Cancer |
| Generic Name | Ibrutinib | Pembrolizumab |
Imbruvica vs Keytruda: What the Data Shows
Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) are both used to treat cancer. Based on Medicare Part D data, Imbruvica costs $10,445.00 per claim, which is 43% less than Keytruda at $18,176.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $5.7B on Imbruvica and $7.2B on Keytruda. In terms of patient reach, Keytruda serves more beneficiaries (82,000 vs 48,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -8.7% for Imbruvica and +28.6% for Keytruda. Keytruda saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Imbruvica has a generic available, while Keytruda remains brand-only until its patent expires Jun 28, 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Imbruvica is cheaper at $10,445.00 per claim, compared to $18,176.00 for Keytruda. That makes Imbruvica about 43% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Imbruvica and Keytruda are used to treat cancer. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Imbruvica has a generic version (Ibrutinib) available, which is typically much cheaper. Keytruda is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Jun 28, 2028.
Medicare Part D spent $5.7B on Imbruvica covering 48,000 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.