Karsten welcomed everyone to the 2024 Conference, and commented on the lively and positive mood of the audience.
He outlined the inspiring papers and challenging discussions that would be available over the following 48 hours, as well as the opportunities to network with peers and colleagues across the industry.
He reflected on last year’s conference, where AI was a hot topic creating some anxiety about what it might mean for our industry as a whole, and our individual jobs, and was pleased to note that we have moved forward in understanding how AI can help us perform better in our jobs, and also our understanding of how to navigate the dangers and pitfalls of this new technology.
This year, he noted, we are facing other emerging trends such as a more restricted payer and policy landscape, aging portfolios and a trend towards niche and rare diseases, all of which will require a different approach and understanding.
Embracing and adapting to change requires understanding, and as insights professionals, we can discuss these changes and see how we can contribute to improved decision-making for our industry in this changing world.
He invited us, through the conference, to learn about new treatment journeys and patient ecosystems; the evolution and role of digital influencers and social media analytics; where (and where not) to apply AI; new forecasting concepts; and how to use insights to deliver better product launches, despite the emerging challenges in our industry.
Karsten highlighted the opportunities for self-development as well, including honing our storytelling skills to increase our value to management, and ultimately to improve patient outcomes via the insights we are generating, to expedite access to medicines and overcome health inequality.
He encouraged us to recognise the value that we as individuals and as a profession can bring to the success of our industry, and therefore the lives of patients.
Karsten highlighted our opportunity to learn from, and network with, over 215 delegates from 92 different companies, including 62 industry delegates, all eager to fulfil the values of the EPHMRA organisation: building community and relationships, learning and discussing, and sharing peer-to-peer.
He reminded us of the variety and reach of the EPHMRA committees working on behalf of members, including specialists in fieldwork, forecasting, classification, devices & diagnostics, data & systems, as well as guiding us on Ethics, Learning & Development, and encouraging young professionals in our industry. He thanked the Programme Committee for all their work to bring together the experts involved in the conference, and the Executive Board for their leadership in securing the future of the organisation.
Karsten’s welcome concluded by reiterating the conference objectives to energise and inspire us, helping us to connect or re-connect with colleagues, share new thoughts and ideas, and to bring these inspiring new ideas back to our work-settings to improve our future success.