Quita Highsmith tells Jack O’Brien about the “long journey” toward addressing the impact of health inequities, and how Genentech is fostering more diversity in society through steady investments and partnerships. Lecia Bushak explains why the DEA is extending pandemic-era telehealth flexibility for accessing controlled substances, as well as Biden’s nominee for head of the NIH. And Jack cues up three more trending topics: Bo Jackson’s curious case of hiccups, whether an AI-powered “virtual girlfriend” can cure loneliness, and how potentially risky “free births” are proliferating on TikTok. Music by Sixème Son.

To read an August 2024 Q&A with Genentech’s Pierre Theodore on pharma’s DE&I efforts, click here.