A pharmaceutical company has developed a new drug and obtained a patent. How does this patent affect the company's market power?

• A. It only affects the company's market power if the drug is sold internationally.
• B. It increases the company's market power by preventing competitors from producing the drug.
• C. It decreases the company's market power by allowing competitors to produce the drug.
• D. It has no effect on the company's market power.

Answer: (B)