New Subcutaneous Formulation of OPDIVO® Recommended for Reimbursement in Quebec
The Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) has issued a positive recommendation for the reimbursement of OPDIVO® SC (nivolumab for subcutaneous injection) in Quebec. This new formulation offers patients an alternative to intravenous (IV) infusions of OPDIVO®, a widely used immunotherapy treatment. Read the full announcement here.
Approved by Health Canada in May 2025, OPDIVO® SC can be administered by a quick subcutaneous injection in just minutes, compared to a longer IV infusion. This option may provide more flexibility for patients and caregivers, while also helping clinics manage resources more efficiently.
Dr. Normand Blais, a hematologist-oncologist in Montreal, noted that having a subcutaneous option “introduces added flexibility in how we deliver immunotherapy” and may help balance both patient needs and healthcare system demands. Oncology nurse Annie Bombardier also emphasized the benefit for patients, highlighting that “less time connected to an IV means more time for patients to focus on what matters most to them.”
With this recommendation, OPDIVO® SC may soon become more widely accessible in Quebec across all Health Canada-authorized solid tumour indications where OPDIVO® IV is already reimbursed. These include:
Renal cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Urothelial carcinoma
MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer (prior treatment)
Esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers
Gastric, GEJ, and esophageal adenocarcinoma
This decision marks a meaningful step forward in expanding treatment options for patients, with the potential to ease some of the time and energy demands of cancer care. If you have any questions or need support, please send us an email at info@saveyourskin.ca
