oncologyTariff appliesAnnex III — Jul 31 2026

Keytruda Tariff Rate & July 31, 2026 Deadline

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) — manufactured by Merck in Ireland. Treats multiple cancers (melanoma, lung, head & neck, etc.). Typical US retail $18,000 per month.

Tariff breakdown

Applicable rate: 100% (Annex III)
Effective date: 2026-07-31 (98 days away)
Manufacturer: Merck
Country of origin: Ireland
Annex III?: Yes
Current monthly retail: $18,000

Projected monthly retail, by pass-through scenario

Scenario	Pass-through	New monthly retail	Annual increase
Conservative	30%	$23,400	+$64,800
Likely	50%	$27,000	+$108,000
Worst case	100%	$36,000	+$216,000

Scenarios based on historical brand-pharma cost-shock pass-through. Not a forecast.

HTS classification

HTS 3002.15.0000

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody biologic. HTS 3002.15 covers immunological products for therapeutic use in dosage form. Source country: Ireland.

Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 2026 Revision 2 — hts.usitc.gov

Alternatives: generics, biosimilars & US-made options

Opdivo (nivolumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb)

therapeutic alternative

Same PD-1 checkpoint-inhibitor class, also Annex III and also Ireland-made — tariff applies equally.

Libtayo (cemiplimab, Regeneron)

therapeutic alternative

Approved for non-small-cell lung cancer and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; Regeneron is Annex III.

Always consult your prescriber before switching medications. Biosimilars and generics are not interchangeable in every state without physician approval.

FAQ: Keytruda and the 2026 tariff

Will my Keytruda prescription cost more after July 31, 2026?

Likely yes. Keytruda is manufactured in Ireland and is not exempt. Our conservative-case scenario assumes 30% pass-through (retail +$5,400/month), our likely-case 50% (+$9,000/month), and worst-case full pass-through (+$18,000/month).

Can I switch to a generic version of Pembrolizumab?

No FDA-approved generic of Pembrolizumab is widely available in the US as of 2026 Q2. Biosimilars or therapeutic alternatives (listed above) are the practical substitutes.

Is Keytruda on the Medicare negotiated-price list?

Keytruda is not among the first-round Medicare-negotiated drugs effective 2026. Check CMS announcements for subsequent negotiation rounds.

Importing pharmaceuticals commercially?

This page covers consumer drug pricing. For business imports (including finished-dose pharmaceuticals), use the full US import tariff calculator with HTS classification and Section 301/232/122 breakdown.

Disclaimer: Informational estimates based on public list prices, the April 2, 2026 Proclamation text, and USITC HTS data. Not medical, legal, or financial advice.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, and insurer about your specific medication.