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Agency for Care Effectiveness
Drug guidance

Pembrolizumab for the adjuvant treatment of renal cell carcinoma

5 October 2026

Condition

Cancer

Kidney

Published on 02 Jan 2024
Last Updated on 05 Oct 2026

Guidance Recommendations

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

  • Pembrolizumab 100 mg/4 mL solution for infusion for the adjuvant treatment of renal cell carcinoma in patients who are at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy or nephrectomy with resection of metastatic lesions.

Funding status

Pembrolizumab 100 mg/4 mL solution for infusion is recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indication from 1 December 2026.

Clinical indication, subsidy class and MediShield Life claims eligibility for pembrolizumab are provided in the Annex.

Pembrolizumab for the adjuvant treatment of renal cell carcinoma (Updated 05 Oct 2026) [PDF, 454.59 KB] (opens in new tab)

Plain English Summary

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. It occurs when cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably and form a mass (tumour). Patients with renal cell carcinoma may not have any symptoms initially. As the cancer worsens, symptoms can include blood in the urine, weight loss with no known cause, fatigue and pain around the kidneys.

If you have renal cell carcinoma, your doctor will assess the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. Surgery is often the first treatment to remove the cancer. After surgery, some patients may need other treatments to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. This is known as adjuvant therapy.

Pembrolizumab belongs to a group of biologic medicines called PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, which are a type of immunotherapy. It helps the body’s immune system find and attack cancer cells. It is given as a slow drip into a vein (intravenously).

Pembrolizumab was recommended for government funding because it was considered an acceptable use of healthcare resources. It is included in the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) (opens in new tab), with its cost subsidised by 40% to 75% for eligible patients. It can also be claimed under MediShield Life. The subsidy class and MediShield Life claim limits are available here (opens in new tab).