Context:
High costs of advanced cancer drugs like Keytruda and issues in drug supply chains have raised concerns about affordability and ethical access in India, highlighting the need for stronger regulation and promotion of cheaper alternatives like biosimilars.
What is Keytruda?
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an advanced immunotherapy cancer drug that helps the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells.
- Used for Multiple Cancers: It is used in treating 20+ types of cancers, including lung cancer, melanoma, and head & neck cancers.
- High-Cost Issue:The drug is extremely expensive (around ₹1 lakh+ per dose), making it unaffordable for most patients in India.
- Patent Monopoly: It is under patent protection (till 2028), limiting the availability of cheaper generic versions.
- Fake Drug Racket (Recent Issue) Cases have emerged where fake or reused Keytruda vials were sold, posing serious risks to patients’ lives.
- Core Concern: The issue highlights problems of drug affordability, access inequality, and regulation of counterfeit medicines in healthcare systems.
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Cancer Drug Patents and Access to Treatment