The DrugCard team recently returned from the European Drug Safety & AI 2026 summit. This gathering served as a strategic touchpoint for our experts to engage with the latest AI trends in pharmacovigilance and to strengthen our relationships with partners and industry peers.
Representing DrugCard in Barcelona were:
- Dmytro Horilyk, CEO
- Christina Kiselova, Head of Sales & Partnerships
- Rostyslav Siarkevych, Executive Account Manager
- Diana Budkevych, Head of Marketing
Over several days, our team participated in expert sessions, met with industry partners, and exchanged perspectives on the practical adoption of AI in pharmacovigilance.
CEO Keynote on AI Decision-Making in Pharmacovigilance
A key moment of the conference was the keynote session delivered by our CEO, Dmytro Horilyk.
In his talk, “How Not to Buy AI for Pharmacovigilance,” he addressed a challenge widely discussed across the industry: the gap between enthusiasm for AI and real implementation within pharmacovigilance organisations.
The session explored how AI initiatives often stall inside complex internal decision structures. Different departments evaluate the same technology from different perspectives: procurement focuses on risk exposure, pharmacovigilance teams focus on inspection readiness, IT departments evaluate integration, and compliance reviews regulatory defensibility. When responsibility is spread across multiple stakeholders without clear ownership, decision timelines lengthen, and pilot projects stretch far beyond their intended scope.
Reflecting on the discussions during the conference, Dmytro Horilyk noted:
“The audience is ready for change and willing to guide their teams through discomfort in order to gain greater control and clarity with AI. Being surrounded by professionals who are ready to move forward and experiment with new approaches gives a strong sense of optimism for where the industry is heading.”
Industry Conversations Beyond the Stage
Beyond the official sessions, many of the most meaningful discussions happened between panels, during coffee breaks, and in small networking groups where professionals could speak openly about the practical side of implementing new technologies.
For Christina Kiselova, those informal conversations were one of the most valuable parts of the trip:
“From a sales perspective, what stood out most for me personally wasn’t only the discussions about AI, automation, and the future of pharmacovigilance, but also the people behind those ideas. Conferences like this remind you how many thoughtful professionals are working on similar challenges across the industry with the same goal: patient safety. The best part was the opportunity to have real conversations with people who are actively shaping where drug safety and technology are going.”
For Rostyslav Siarkevych, the event reinforced the importance of relationships within the pharmacovigilance community.
“Returning from the conference in Barcelona, I feel inspired by the discussions and by the opportunity to hear from many knowledgeable speakers. What stands out every time is how important it is not only to talk about work but also to build genuine relationships. Creating space to connect on a deeper level after the working day, including through events like the one we organised, makes these interactions especially meaningful.”
Observing Industry Communication and Event Strategy
The conference also provided valuable insights from an organisational and communication perspective. Large international events depend on strong coordination between content, promotion, and industry engagement.
Reflecting on this aspect, Diana Budkevych noted:
“From a marketing perspective, what makes a conference truly strong is clear, large-scale communication and well-executed promotion. These elements were definitely present here. It was also valuable to observe how colleagues organise international industry events, as we are developing similar initiatives in Ukraine and planning to expand them internationally.”
Looking Ahead
Participation in European Drug Safety & AI 2026 once again demonstrated how quickly the conversation around artificial intelligence in pharmacovigilance is moving forward. Companies across the industry continue to evaluate how AI can support safety monitoring while maintaining strict regulatory standards.
For the DrugCard team, the conference served as both a platform for sharing expertise and an opportunity to strengthen relationships with partners and colleagues from across the global drug safety community. Conversations that started in Barcelona will continue to shape future collaborations, initiatives, and upcoming industry projects.
We look forward to continuing these conversations, building new collaborations, and meeting again at the next industry events!
