Competition can have a significant impact on the price of Keytruda, a drug used to treat various types of cancer. Keytruda's manufacturer, Merck, has faced and will continue to face patent expirations and competition from other drugs in the same class.

According to Drug Patent Watch [1], Keytruda's patent will expire in 2028, which means that other companies will be able to produce and sell generic versions of the drug. This could lead to a decrease in the price of Keytruda, as patients may opt for the cheaper generic versions.

Additionally, Keytruda faces competition from other drugs in the same class, such as Opdivo. According to FiercePharma [2], Opdivo is one of the top 15 blockbuster drugs whose patents will expire in the next decade. This means that more generic versions of Opdivo may become available, which could lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices for both drugs.

However, it's important to note that Keytruda and Opdivo may be the only Part B drugs chosen for Medicare negotiation in the first applicable year, according to Pink Sheet [3]. This could limit the impact of competition on the price of these drugs, as the government will be negotiating prices with the manufacturers.

In summary, competition can have a significant impact on the price of Keytruda. Patent expirations and competition from other drugs in the same class could lead to lower prices, but government negotiation may limit the impact of competition on the price of Keytruda and other Part B drugs.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/biologics/tradename/KEYTRUDA
[2] https://www.fiercepharma.com/special-report/top-15-blockbuster-patent-expirations-coming-decade
[3] https://pink.pharmaintelligence.informa.com/PS147826/Keytruda-Opdivo-May-Be-Only-Part-B-Drugs-Chosen-For-Medicare-Negotiation-In-First-Applicable-Year