This episode explores the potential impacts of Donald Trump's policies on the pharmaceutical industry, North Korea's cryptocurrency heists, and the story of a plane crash in the Andes. Against the backdrop of Trump's executive order to lower drug prices in America to match those of other wealthy nations, concerns arise about potential disruptions to the pharmaceutical supply chain and reduced investment in research and development. More significantly, the episode analyzes the threat of tariffs on overseas manufacturing and intellectual property, which could further increase costs for drug makers. As the discussion pivoted to North Korea, the focus shifted to the country's increasing proficiency in cryptocurrency theft, with hackers stealing billions to fund the regime and its weapons programs. In contrast, the episode concludes with a poignant recounting of Alvaro Mangino's survival of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes, highlighting the formation of a unique society among the survivors and their difficult choices. These events reflect emerging industry patterns of geopolitical influence on healthcare, cyber warfare tactics, and the resilience of the human spirit in extreme conditions.
