Dying to Survive 2019

In a desperate attempt to rescue his struggling business and secure necessary medical help for his father, Cheng Yong encounters a significant twist in his fortunes. Once a successful seller of aphrodisiacs, he comes face to face with a mysterious buyer shrouded in surgical masks who presents him with a lucrative proposition. This enigmatic individual urges Cheng to procure an inexpensive yet effective leukemia treatment from India, a drug that has become unattainable due to its staggering costs imposed by the Swiss pharmaceutical giant, imatinib.

As Cheng’s financial burdens begin to lighten with each successful smuggling transaction, he unwittingly becomes a pivotal figure in a burgeoning black market. His once modest store transforms into a vital resource for patients yearning for a sliver of hope in their relentless fight against chronic myelogenous leukemia. Yet, as his wealth increases and his business reputation solidifies, Cheng finds himself grappling with uncomfortable ethical dilemmas. The harrowing tales of families ravaged by the exorbitant prices of cancer treatments start to haunt his conscience, prompting him to reconsider the morality behind his newfound success.

At the same time, Chinese authorities relentlessly pursue the illicit trade of imatinib, determined to eradicate the unregulated distribution of generic drugs. As complications mount, Nova, the patent holder of the original medication, initiates legal proceedings against the Indian government for breaching their intellectual property rights. With the law closing in on him and the stakes raised higher than ever, Cheng Yong must confront the profound moral ramifications of his choices and the human impact of his financial gain. Ultimately, he stands at a crossroads, where the lines between right and wrong blur amidst a climate of desperation and uncertainty.