One of #Merck’s reasons for suing is likely its cancer drug Keytruda, upon which it relies to maintain yearly profits of US$14.5 billion.
Among other complaints, Merck’s lawyers suggest the company’s ‘free-speech rights’ will be violated. 11/12
3⃣MEDICARE. Last week, #Merck sued the US government over a new law that will allow Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices — a common practice worldwide.
Failure to negotiate is one reason a vial of insulin costs $300 in the US but $30 in Canada. 10/12 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/business/merck-medicare-drug-prices.html
Discussion
In summary, the for-profit health industry urgently needs reform to address
1⃣inordinate profits on good drugs developed from public research
2⃣bad drugs
3⃣price gouging
Such practices have arguably done more than any media influencer to stoke public distrust in science. 12/12