Today, I’m talking with Roy Jakobs. He’s the CEO of Royal Philips, which makes medical devices ranging from MRI machines to ventilators. Philips has a long history —- the company began in the late 19th century as a lightbulb manufacturer, and over the past century it’s grown and shrunk in various ways. Basically, while every other company has been trying to get bigger, Philips has been paring itself down to a tight focus on healthcare, and Roy and I talked about why that market is worth the focus. 

Roy and I also talked about an ongoing controversy at Philips that he had a part in: In 2021, after years of consumer complaints, Philips was made to recall millions of its breathing machines. Those devices were eventually tied to more than 500 deaths. That’s a pretty big decision, with massive life-or-death consequences, and you’ll hear us talk about it in detail.

Links: 

• Problems reported with recalled Philips ventilators, BiPAP & CPAP machines | FDA
• FDA says 561 deaths tied to recalled Philips sleep apnea machines | CBS News
• Philips kept complaints about dangerous breathing machines secret | ProPublica
• Top Philips executive approved sale of defective breathing machines | ProPublica
• Philips reaches final pact with DOJ, FDA on ventilator recall | WSJ
• Philips suspends U.S. sales of breathing machines after recall | NYT
• CPAP maker reaches $479 million settlement on breathing device defects | NYT
• Philips exits shrinking home entertainment business | Reuters
• Original TSMC investor Philips sells off final shares | PC World
• Philips unveils new AI-powered cardiovascular ultrasound | Mass Device

Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/24006874

Credits: 

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Callie Wright. Our supervising producer is Liam James.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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