Abarca conference forges strategies for adopting AI, transformative models in healthcare
Abarca, a pharmacy benefit manager known for its innovative technology and practices, recently held its third annual Abarca Forward conference, uniting health care and tech experts “to discuss, co-create and debate how to create a better care experience for everyone.”
“The healthcare landscape is undergoing a transformation,” noted Jason Borschow, CEO of Abarca. “The industry needs to find ways to accelerate this progress and make health care more seamless, personalized and convenient for everyone. And that’s what we’re solving at Abarca Forward.”
The conference, now in its third iteration, delved into the role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy benefit management, including a hands-on co-creation workshop led by Microsoft and Xtillion, demonstrating AI’s capabilities in real time.
The conference also featured sessions on current issues reshaping health care, such as GLP-1 treatments for diabetes management, the changing dynamics of pharmacy roles and pricing transparency.
“AI is an existential opportunity and threat to every organization in health care, and now is the time to act,” emphasized Bertil Chappuis, CEO at Xtillion and Abarca Forward keynote speaker.
“Companies today have access to the data and AI platforms, tools and foundational models to drive dramatic improvements to the experience of patients and providers,” Chappuis added. “Doing so will require that leadership teams get deeply involved in defining the right objectives and scope, assembling the right cross-functional teams, and putting in place modern data platforms and operating models.”
This year’s Abarca Forward included presentations from leading figures in health care and technology, with representatives from Blue Shield of California, Evio Pharmacy Solutions, FRESH Medicine, Gemini Health, GoodRx, Medtronic, PerformRx, Walgreens, and Welldoc.
“Given the advances in technology, clinical care, and business models, the industry today has an opportunity to finally overcome some of the greatest challenges in our health care system,” Borschow concluded.
