Nordic Life Science 1
GLOBAL REPORT // INVESTIGATION THE CANCER CALCULU
S It’s no small irony that one of the world’s most effective cancer drugs also is one of the least accessible. T E X T B Y EL L EN R . DEL I S I O B UT THAT IS JUST THE CASE FOR MERCK & CO.’S (MSD outside the US and Canada) drug Keytruda, a game-changer when it comes to cancer treatment. A year-long international investigation led by the nonprofit International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has uncovered Merck’s efforts to keep Keytruda’s price high and access limited. A series of stories called The Cancer Calculus was published worldwide and outlined how Merck manipulated prices in different markets. Reaction was swift. Within days of publication, the ICIJ reported that: “lawmakers and activists in the United States, Europe, and Mexico reacted publicly. The findings struck a nerve that could not be ignored. In countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland, officials have already called for inquiries into the pricing and transparency practices surrounding Keytruda.” NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG | 19