Agenda

PharmaConnect, a recognised platform for strategic dialogue across Europe’s health ecosystem, will convene decision-makers and experts at its 2026 edition to exchange insights and practical experience on what it will take to safeguard equitable access to medicines, strengthen resilience, and ensure our shared critical infrastructure continues to deliver its essential role amid systemic change.

DAY 1, MAY 27

OPENING REMARKS BY GIRP PRESIDENT 
Katarina Gabrielson, CEO, Oriola

9:00-9:05

KEYNOTE AND Q&A 
Sophie Løhde, Danish Ministry of Health (TBC) 

9:05-9:35

KEYNOTE – The Future of European Health Systems
Bogi Eliasen, Executive Director, Movement Health Foundation

9:40-10:00

PANEL – Future Foresight: How Will Europe Look Like in 2040?

  • Bogi Eliasen, Executive Director, Movement Health Foundation 
  • Rafał Kierzenkowski, Senior Counsellor for Strategic Foresight, OECD (TBC)
  • Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President International, AstraZeneca (TBC)
  • Kai Kaasalainen, Director General, Tamro; Member, World Economic Forum Specialist Group

10:00-11:00

COFFEE BREAK 

11:00-11:30

FIRESIDE CHAT – AI: What’s Coming Next?
Dr Kanwar Preet Singh Sandhu, Global Head of Strategic Initiatives, Cyber Security, Tata Consulting

11:30-12:00

PANEL – AI in Practice: How Can AI Improve Productivity?  

  • Dr Kanwar Preet Singh Sandhu, Global Head of Strategic Initiatives, Cyber Security, Tata Consulting
  • Dr Klaus Dohrmann, Vice President, Global Head of Innovation & Trend Research, DHL
  • Andreas Koch, Chief Wholesale & Logistics, Galenica (TBC)
  • Sergei Vardomatski, Founder, HQSoftware (TBC)
  • Matthias Dalkner, Vice President, Healthcare Solutions, KNAPP

12:00-13:00

LUNCH 

13:00-14:00

PRESENTATION – GIRP Sector Study on Pharmaceutical Systemic Wholesalers
Dr Panos Kanavos, Professor in Practice, London School of Economics (TBC)

14:00-14:15

PANEL – World Without Systemic Wholesalers: What if Public Service Providers Were No More?  

Introduction by IQVIA

  • Agnès Matthieu-Mendes, Head of Unit, Medical Products: Quality, Safety, Innovation, DG SANTE (TBC)
  • Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, Deputy CEO, GKV Spitzenverband (TBC)
  • Ancel·la Santos Quintano, Head of Food, Health, and Chemicals Safety, BEUC (The European Consumer Organisation)
  • Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary, SGI Europe (TBC)
  • Alain Roudergues, Director General, SECOF
  • Dr Panos Kanavos, Professor in Practice, London School of Economics (TBC)

14:15-15:15

PRESENTATION – Outlook on Shifts in the US Pharmaceutical Market  
Heather Meade, Principal, EY/Washington Council Ernst & Young

15:15-16:00

END OF DAY 1  

16:00

DAY 2, MAY 28

KEYNOTE  
Rasmus P. Gjesing, Regional Adviser, Access to Medicines & Health Products, WHO Europe

9:00-9:15

IQVIA – The Changing Shape of Healthcare Markets  
Simon Tottman, Vice President, Strategic Partners, IQVIA

9:15-10:00

PANEL – The Future of Pharmaceutical Distribution: New Practices, New Actors, New Challenges 

  • Gianluigi Tassone, President, Alliance Healthcare (TBC)
  • Matthias Heck, Senior Advisor Strategic Alliance Development, EUCOPE
  • Pascal Bekaert, Head of Global Trade Effectiveness & Channels Strategy, Sanofi

10:00-11:00

COFFEE BREAK 

11:00-11:30

KEYNOTE – European Parliament Priorities 
Adam Jarubas, Chair of the SANT Committee, European Parliament (TBC)

11:30-12:00

PANEL –  The Role of Preventive Care in a Shifting Health Architecture

Introduction by IQVIA

  • Antoine Pivron, Vice-President, Health Solution, Withings
  • Antonio Parenti, Director for Health responsible for Public Health, Cancer and Security, DG SANTE (TBC)
  • Prof Magnus T. Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen
  • Representative, Wholesaler (TBC)
  • Representative, Pharmacist (TBC) 

12:00-13:00

CONCLUSION AND CLOSING REMARKS 
Kasper Ernest, Director General, GIRP 

13:00

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