How Merck turned its wonder drug into a blockbuster — and priced out cancer patients worldwide
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
An investigation found Merck & Co. used aggressive tactics to inflate prescriptions and maintain high prices for its cancer drug Keytruda.
How This Affects You
The high cost of Keytruda, up to $208,000 in the U.S., makes it unaffordable for many, potentially limiting access to life-saving cancer treatment.
AI Summary
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed how Merck & Co. employed aggressive tactics to inflate prescriptions and maintain high prices for its anti-cancer drug, Keytruda, making it unaffordable for many worldwide. Merck CEO Robert M. Davis, whose company generated $31.7 billion in Keytruda sales in 2025, supported President Donald Trump's drug price deals in December 2025 but did not commit to cutting Keytruda's cost. The investigation found Merck exploited the patent system with 1,212 patent applications to extend its market dominance for 14 years after original patents expire in 2028. Merck also promoted a higher-than-necessary dosage, which could cost $5 billion for lung cancer patients by 2040, and funneled nearly $75 billion in dividends to shareholders. Governments globally, including the UK's NHS and nations like South Africa and Guatemala, face strained budgets and limited access due to Keytruda's high prices, which range from $80,000 in Germany to $208,000 in the U.S.
What's Being Done
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) conducted an investigation into Merck's practices.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
CorporateThey Needed Treatment for Drug Addiction. The Company They Turned to May Have Used Them to Commit Fraud.
The post They Needed Treatment for Drug Addiction. The Company They Turned to May Have Used Them to Commit Fraud. appeared first on ProPublica .
HealthReplimune's drug for advanced skin cancer fails to win FDA nod again - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxQV0xhbE5EbkRDa2l2OEdTdkhHRzlZU1cwdUM4bWt6ZGVTTWNIeFFUdHhDaW9SOHBiM3A3eV9VVTZoNXlRM0pNSk5adXJ1Vkw1SDZqSWI5aGlfT3B1VThsV21acFBVUU1RTE9oZXNSbHRMUlZTSzhNTGdXQTJELUgycm1QM0d5cGdQdlNicURjZEZ5LXVxa2t6MWh0aEI2N1o0UVM1X2VxMDAtb0t1T0pzSFdNTQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Replimune's drug for advanced skin cancer fails to win FDA nod again</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
CorporateFAA eyes fines for American, Southwest over employee drug, alcohol testing violations
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines could face fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over allegations that the carriers violated drug- and alcohol-testing regulations for employees. The FAA proposed a $255,000 civil penalty against American Airlines on Wednesday, accusing the company of allowing 12 flight attendants who tested positive…
EnvironmentEndangered salmon returned to California’s far north — then the money dried up - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxPWjZKRGtnVzVYNVp5aHE4cnM3cEdUWFhGNWVEajNFQkJlZHF3alBzRDBEdjh2TUpHU3h2ZkgwV2Z6R2NkN3R4UHV0bm1PMHRqbUlfSmEwMXVkSU5fNEZ1MTEwQlozMlZRUTlUaVpxUWJ0X3QyRUZoZmJNYklqV3ZXS0VNbG05d19ESzVBd3pjUFB0WWJfLWFnWU5GdGIxZ19jSWs4RkRkaV9oU2ZxeTRyZDhHVk9KamNBci1r?oc=5" target="_blank">Endangered salmon returned to California’s far north — then the money dried up</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
EnvironmentAmerica’s Fastest-Growing County Wonders if ‘Paradise’ Is Growing Too Fast - The New York Times
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxPbmJUM2tqeHpoQlhxVnduUlNEam5YMEF3akdMUVNaZHByVGREVzY5cWlBSzR3SmZVWUtvUW5FVmFVNTlobnNFbmUyNWxJVjlZckEyUkMyNzBNbF93ZWFHdTNMUEFXSU85c3hmcnZXNk4wem9KcHI1NERYWnlqVFZxUXZnMHB0OGlBaUYtd2JyREJFVUE?oc=5" target="_blank">America’s Fastest-Growing County Wonders if ‘Paradise’ Is Growing Too Fast</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">The New York Times</font>
HealthWATCH: Parents of 3 open up about facing cancer together at the same time
A California couple is facing cancer diagnoses and raising their three kids together.
How dangerous trucking schemes are putting Americans at risk
In a scheme plaguing roadways, some commercial trucking networks are racking up safety violations and evading federal enforcement by dissolving bad records and operating under new names.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fuel efficiency a hot topic at New York Auto Show
Automatic registration for US military draft to begin in December
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Investigates Cassidy Hutchinson, Who Testified Against Trump
WATCH LIVE: Hegseth and Caine hold Pentagon briefing as Trump threatens Iran's infrastructure
People in recovery find a fresh start by crafting Troublesome Creek instruments
