Merck's Keytruda: Blockbuster Drug Pricing Leaves Patients Behind

Merck's wonder drug, Keytruda, has become a blockbuster, but its high price is leaving many cancer patients behind. Currently, this drug costs around $200,000 a year. As a result, thousands are struggling to afford it, even as the medication offers hope for survival. What's interesting is that Merck has seen its profits soar, raking in over $20 billion in 2022 alone from Keytruda sales. While Merck argues that the revenue supports research and development, critics say the pricing is out of reach for many who need it most. In fact, some patients are forced to choose between treatment and basic necessities. The bottom line is, as the cost of life-saving medications rises, the gap widens between those who can afford care and those who cannot. This matters because access to effective treatments should not depend on a patient's financial situation.