FDA OKs New Keytruda Shot for Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Merck's injectable version of its cancer drug Keytruda. The new formulation is designed to be quicker and more convenient for patients compared to the existing infusion version. Keytruda is a blockbuster drug used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. The approval of the injectable version is expected to increase the drug's adoption and sales, as it may be more accessible and easier to administer for patients. However, the introduction of the injectable Keytruda could also slow the adoption of cheaper competing drugs, as patients and healthcare providers may opt for the more familiar and branded Keytruda option. This could lead to an increase in healthcare costs by billions of dollars over time. The FDA's approval of the injectable Keytruda highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation and accessibility in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for high-cost cancer treatments.