100%
2025 attendees would return to Abarca Forward.
In 2026, we celebrate 5 years of Abarca Forward—a one-of-a-kind, invite-only event where healthcare and technology leaders come together to challenge the status quo and shape the future of pharmacy benefit management.
Over the past five years, Abarca Forward has grown into more than a conference. It's a movement—built on bold ideas, candid conversations, and the belief that the future of healthcare is ours to build.
At our 2025 event, we welcomed speakers and innovators from Microsoft, Amazon Pharmacy, Blue Shield of California, Xtillion, Photon, Red Ventures, Lark Health, J&J, Organon, among others, who led powerful discussions on everything from AI-powered automation and specialty drug strategy to unlocking the pharmacy’s potential in patient engagement. In 2026, we’ll take those conversations further—diving into what’s next and what’s needed now.
Whether you’re sharing insights on stage, brainstorming in a breakout, or trading ideas over coffee, you’ll be part of something bigger: a collaborative effort to transform the healthcare experience.
This is your chance to shape the next chapter.
Are you ready to go forward?
Hear what attendees say about Forward
I have always had a strong respect for Abarca as an organization, so that did not change at all due to Forward. I really respect Abarca's approach to Forward being it is not an advertisement but rather an innovation forum for forward-thinking people in the space to discuss and collaborate.
The event was the perfect length and packed with action. Great attendees and topics, amazing vibes, and a beautiful venue and location.
It was a great experience to network, build relationships, and identify opportunities for growth and identify operational optimization
Abarca leads with a very connected executive team that understands their end consumer and client base. They lead with innovation, alignment to their core values and culture and has a team led by forward thinkers, dedicated to bringing the best in class forward to solve healthcare's biggest challenges.
Forward thinking and not afraid to bring multiple perspectives together for meaningful discussion and outcomes
Testimonials
WHO’S TAKING THE STAGE NEXT?
While we finalize the 2026 speaker lineup, take a look at some of the thought leaders who joined us last year.
Jason Borschow
President & CEO
Abarca Health
Javier Gonzalez, Pharm.D.
EVP & Chief Growth & Commercial Officer, Abarca Health
Nicole Bulochnik
SVP, Drug Value Strategy, Abarca Health
Beth Hebert-Silvia
Senior Vice President & Practice Lead, Health Plans
Pharmaceutical Strategies Group-PSG
Bertil Chappuis
Co-Founder & CEO
Xtillion
Bruce Japsen
Senior Contributing Writer
Forbes
Hari Sabnani
Founder, President & CEO
Alivia Health
Jay Weaver
Vice President, Payor Relations
PANTHERx Rare Disease Pharmacy
Joe Cardosi
Founder & CEO
Free Market Health
John Barto
Chief Digital Transformation Officer
US Health & Life Sciences, Microsoft
Jose Castellote
General Manager Puerto Rico
Johnson&Johnson
Julia Hu
CEO & Co-Founder
Lark Health
Matt Gibbs
Chief Pharmacy Officer
& General Manager
Blue Shield of California
Tanvi Patel
Director & General Manager
Amazon Pharmacy
Otto Sipe
Co-Founder, CEO
Photon Health
Rafa Chaves
Emerging Markets Policy
& Gov Affairs Lead
Organon
Sarah Marche
Sr. Vice President, Pharmacy Services
Highmark
Tony Navarro
EVP
Red Ventures
Tracey James
Chief Operating Officer
Walgreens
ARE YOU READY TO GO FORWARD?
Here’s a look at last year’s agenda — a glimpse of what you can expect in 2026.
Welcome Remarks
Jason Borschow
Abarca
AI AT THE HEART OF PBM EVOLUTION
Delve into how AI is revolutionizing the core of the PBM value proposition from claims management to consumer and provider experience.
Panel Discussion: How AI is Transforming Healthcare
Speakers: Jason Borschow, Abarca | Bertil Chappuis, Xtillion | John Barto, Microsoft | Tony Navarro, Red Ventures
The Future is Now: Exploring the Possibilities
Speakers: Jason Borschow, Abarca
Hands-On with AI: The AI Petting Zoo
Separate in three groups to test AI tools.
PHARMACY AS THE FRONT LINE OF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE REVOLUTION
Join Blue Shield of California and experts from Amazon Pharmacy, Photon, and Lark Health as they dive into a series of forward-thinking business models built with pharmacy as a cornerstone for consumer engagement.
Breakout Sessions: Exploring Innovative Pharmacy Models
Participants will split into two parallel tracks, A & B, each offering a unique focus on the evolving role of pharmacy. In three rounds of 30 minutes, each track will rotate speakers, allowing attendees to hear different perspectives. Track A and Track B will cover complementary topics, encouraging dynamic discussions and in-depth exploration of the latest trends in the pharmacy field.
Speakers: Matt Gibbs, Blue Shield of California | Julia Hu, Lark Health | Otto Stipe, Photon Health | Tanvi Patel, Amazon Pharmacy
TRANSFORMING SPECIALTY DRUG SPEND: COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Don’t miss this session where we will tackle the toughest challenges in specialty drug management! Dive into emerging solutions like marketplace pricing approaches, and creative partnership models that are redefining affordability, fueling innovation, and elevating patient outcomes.
Lighting Talks
Join us for three fast-paced POV presentations, each addressing a key issue in specialty drug management. Topics will include the evolving role of pharmaceutical manufacturers in cost management, exploring a marketplace specialty pricing model, and sustainable solutions for specialty drug management, among others.
The Role of Pharmaceutical Manufacture in Future Cost Management
Speakers: Jose Castellote, Johnson & Johnson | Rafa Chaves, Organon
Exploring a Marketplace Specialty Pricing Model
Speakers: Joe Cardosi, Free Market Health
Specialty Pharmacy: Shaping Sustainable Solutions for Specialty Drug Management
Speakers: Hari Sabnani, Alivia Health | Tracey James, Walgreens | Jay Weaver, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy
Introduction
Javier González, Abarca
From Breakouts to Big Ideas: Open Q&A
Matt Gibbs, Blue Shield of California
Rapid Fire Reaction Panel
Bruce Japsen, Forbes | Nicole Bulochnik, Abarca | Sarah Marche, Highmark | Beth Hebert-Silvia, PSG
Key Takeaways & Looking Forward: Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Javier González, Abarca
Closing
Reflections & Realities: Harnessing AI, Controlling Costs, and Partnering for the Future
Jason Borschow, Abarca
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