Beyond the data and the regulations, healthcare is about people. How do we make sure new treatments reach everyone who needs them? How do we use powerful tools like AI responsibly?
These questions shaped the discussions at DIA Europe 2025, held in Basel from March 18-20. The event brought together healthcare professionals from around the globe to address key challenges in healthcare and find solutions that put people first.
They explored improving healthcare efficiency, fostering international partnerships, understanding new regulatory changes and much more.
Here’s a recap of everything for you!
All about DIA Europe, and why you should attend
Drug Information Association (DIA) is a global non-profit that promotes collaboration in life sciences, particularly in drug and device development. Their annual DIA Europe conference, a 37-year-old tradition, is a key event for knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals, regulators, and patient advocates..
The 2025 event focused on translating policy into practice, offering networking, discussions on key healthcare issues, and engagement with global stakeholders, including regulatory bodies like the EMA and FDA.
👉 Key takeaway: DIA Europe 2025 wasn’t just about discussion—it was about action, ensuring policies translate into real-world impact.
Highlights and takeaways from DIA Europe 2025
Diverse participation and broad discussion
DIA Europe 2025 featured over 300 speakers from more than 150 organizations, covering over 100 topics within 10 distinct content tracks. The conference addressed pressing healthcare challenges. Discussed focused on clinical trial innovation, digital transformation, regulatory shifts, and sustainability.
👉 Diverse participation ensures a well-rounded approach to tackling global healthcare challenges.
Policy shaping and regulatory trends
Discussions aimed to influence policies that enhance pharmaceutical development and patient care.
Key topics included environmental sustainability, regulatory digitalization, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the implications of new EU pharmaceutical legislation. The goal was to create smarter, faster regulatory pathways while maintaining patient safety.
👉 Regulations must evolve alongside technology and sustainability needs to improve patient access.
Collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem
DIA Europe emphasised multi-stakeholder collaboration by bringing together key regulatory bodies, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission.
It also saw participation from national authorities, academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, and industry representatives. The event facilitated conversations to align policies with real-world healthcare needs, ensuring that innovations benefit patients faster.
👉 Cross-sector collaboration is the foundation of healthcare innovation.
Regulatory shifts and pharmaceutical industry focus
European healthcare policy was a central theme, particularly in the DIAmond sessions. The EU Regulatory Town Hall featured discussions on upcoming regulatory changes. Pharmaceutical companies also held sessions that focused on:
- Global digital medicine regulation
- Environmental sustainability standards
- Increased patient participation in healthcare decisions
- Strategies for improving European healthcare
Technology and patient care
Keynote speakers addressed the role of technology in patient care. Dr Peiling Yap discussed responsible AI implementation, and Simon Rasalingham highlighted the impact of new diagnostic technologies on early disease detection.
Furthermore, discussions with regulatory bodies like the EMA indicated a recognition of the need for regulatory frameworks to adapt to emerging technologies, including AI and digital medicine.
Focus on digital tools, AI and inclusive research
The role of AI in healthcare remained a major topic at the conference. Talks explored how to put good AI rules into practice and use advanced tests.
Instead of just talking about involving patients, DIA Europe 2025 looked at how to ensure different kinds of people are included in drug studies, highlighting the importance of diverse participation in research.
👉 AI in healthcare must be ethical, well-regulated, and patient-first.
Sustainability and regulatory adaptation
The conference demonstrated a growing focus on environmental sustainability within the pharmaceutical industry. Discussions covered green drug development, waste reduction, and regulatory adaptation for sustainability.
👉 Sustainability efforts in healthcare must move from discussion to concrete action.
Diversity and inclusion in clinical research
The event didn’t just talk about patient inclusion—it focused on how to ensure diversity in clinical trials. Sessions explored solutions for increasing representation of underrepresented groups, reducing disparities, and ensuring that treatments are tested for everyone, not just a select few.
👉 Inclusive research leads to better, more effective treatments for all.
Final thoughts
DIA Europe 2025 was more than just a conference—it was a platform for action. With a focus on collaboration, responsible AI, diverse patient inclusion, and sustainability, it set the stage for how innovation will shape the future of healthcare.
-By Rohini Kundu and the AHT Team
