EP#26 --- How Johnson & Johnson is driving digital access to patient information

In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, discover how Johnson & Johnson is helping transform access to patient information through digital labelling, powered by a single barcode.

For decades, patients have relied on paper leaflets inside medicine boxes to access critical information. But these leaflets can be difficult to read, easy to lose, and hard to keep up to date. As healthcare becomes more digital, patients and professionals alike are expecting faster, clearer, and more accessible information, right when they need it.

Johnson & Johnson, working closely with regulators and industry partners, is addressing this challenge by exploring a shift toward digital labelling. At the heart of this transformation is the use of GS1 DataMatrix barcodes, enabling patients and healthcare professionals to access trusted, real-time product information with a simple smartphone scan.

By linking each product to digital information through global identifiers like the GTIN, this approach removes the need to search for instructions or rely solely on paper. Instead, users can instantly access accurate, up-to-date information directly from a reliable source.

But this shift is not just about technology. It requires careful consideration of usability, patient inclusion, and trust. From clear on-pack guidance to phased implementation and education, the approach ensures that no one is left behind as healthcare systems evolve.

This episode explores how global standards and cross-sector collaboration are enabling a more connected, interoperable healthcare ecosystem, where one product, one barcode can unlock better access to information, improve patient understanding, and ultimately support safer, more informed care.