Discover how GS1 standards and barcodes transform healthcare through stories, expert insights, and conversations that spotlight medical product traceability, supply chain innovation and patient safety. Hosted by Mia, an AI-created voice, each episode delivers practical knowledge and inspiration for a safer and smarter healthcare system.
In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, discover how Nigeria successfully traced and recalled an entire vaccine batch in less than one hour, demonstrating the power of healthcare traceability when every product can be identified and tracked with certainty.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerian health authorities faced a critical challenge. A vaccine batch was identified as compromised after distribution across a nationwide network of healthcare facilities. The task was clear but complex: locate every affected dose quickly, coordinate action across multiple stakeholders, and prevent any risk to patients.Using its national Traceability Information System, built on GS1 standards, Nigeria was able to identify exactly where every dose had been distributed. Each vaccine was marked with a GS1 DataMatrix barcode, providing the visibility needed to trace products across the supply chain in real time.Within less than one hour, authorities had identified all affected distribution points and activated communication across the network. Once the recall was confirmed, healthcare facilities were able to act immediately, ensuring vaccines were safely retrieved and removed from circulation.The result was remarkable: 100% of the affected vaccine doses were successfully traced and recalled. But the impact extended beyond a single incident. The system demonstrated how trusted data, interoperability and collaboration can enable faster, more coordinated responses to public health challenges.This episode explores how GS1 standards help healthcare organisations and national authorities build resilient, connected supply chains, ensuring that critical decisions can be made quickly, accurately and with confidence when it matters most.
7/18/26 • 04:57
In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, discover how a hospital in Japan transformed patient safety in one of healthcare's most complex treatment environments through the power of barcode scanning and GS1 standards.Dialysis requires hundreds of critical checks every day. Patients, medications, medical devices and healthcare professionals must all be correctly matched throughout every treatment session. In busy clinical settings, even small errors can have serious consequences.At Shinseikai Daiichi Hospital, the challenge was not simply adding more checks. It was creating a system where verification happens automatically, accurately and consistently. By implementing GS1 barcodes on medications and dialysers, combined with bedside scanning, the hospital established a real-time verification process that confirms the right patient, the right treatment and the right product at the point of care.Every scan connects trusted information across people, products and systems, helping healthcare professionals work with greater confidence while reducing reliance on manual checks and memory.The results have been remarkable. The hospital reduced incidents and errors by more than 90%, while improving workflow efficiency, team coordination and visibility across the care process.This episode explores how trusted data, interoperability and collaboration, enabled by GS1 standards, are helping healthcare organisations build safer systems where patient safety is embedded into every step of care.
6/22/26 • 05:18
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.
4/10/26 • 07:09
In this special after-show episode, we continue the conversation on smarter medicine stock management with Rune Dalsenni Rask, the software developer behind the barcode-based app created in the Central Denmark Region.Building on Episode 25, Rune shares the story behind the solution, from the initial problem pharmacists were facing, to the practical choices that shaped the app’s design. We explore how close collaboration between pharmacists and developers, combined with GS1 standards and GS1 DataMatrix barcodes, made it possible to turn a simple idea into a scalable, real-world solution.This bonus episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how digital tools built on global standards can deliver fast impact in healthcare, and why simplicity and usability are often the key to successful innovation.
1/23/26 • 11:08
In this first episode of Season 2 of SCAN/STORIES, discover how Danish hospitals are tackling medicine waste and improving patient care with nothing more than barcodes, smartphones, and strong collaboration.In the Central Denmark Region, hospital pharmacists were struggling with expired medicines, fragmented stock rooms, and time-consuming manual checks. With thousands of products spread across hundreds of locations, valuable medicines were often going to waste simply because there was no easy way to track or share them in time.That changed with the introduction of a simple, barcode-based app built on GS1 global standards. By scanning GS1 DataMatrix barcodes using a smartphone, pharmacists can instantly access expiry dates and product details, identify medicines at risk of expiring, and reallocate them across hospitals before it is too late.Powered by global identifiers like the GTIN, the solution delivers fast, accurate visibility without adding complexity. Since 2022, it has helped reallocate nearly 4,000 medicine packages, saving over €260,000, reducing waste, and supporting more sustainable healthcare operations.This episode shows how trusted data and global standards can unlock practical, scalable innovation, proving that smarter stock management is not just about efficiency, but about safer care for patients.
1/23/26 • 06:00
Welcome to our year-end special series, On-Air at the Marketplace!Recorded live inside the bustling Marketplace of the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this introductory episode sets the stage for 13 new conversations with our conference exhibitors, who play key roles across the healthcare value chain .We walk you through how the series was created, why it matters, and what you can expect from the episodes ahead, from traceability to packaging, digitalisation, automation, and patient safety.A behind-the-scenes look at the people and stories that make GS1 standards come alive.
11/28/25 • 02:15
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Systech International.In this episode, we learn more about how Systech supports global healthcare traceability, digital authentication, and supply chain security, and how GS1 standards play a central role in enabling trusted, compliant product identification from manufacturer to patient.
11/28/25 • 20:06
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Antares Vision Group.In this episode, we learn more about how Antares delivers end-to-end traceability, quality inspection, and digital transparency solutions for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, and how GS1 standards help enable safer, more connected supply chains worldwide.
11/28/25 • 14:48
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Arvato Systems.In this episode, we learn more about how Arvato supports global healthcare and pharmaceutical companies with advanced IT platforms for traceability, regulatory compliance, and supply chain visibility, and how GS1 standards underpin the secure, connected data flows that make these systems work worldwide.
11/28/25 • 10:50
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Avery Dennison.In this episode, we learn more about how Avery Dennison delivers innovative labeling, identification, and digital enablement solutions for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, and how GS1 standards help ensure accuracy, traceability, and trusted product information across global supply chains.
11/28/25 • 11:08
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Domino.In this episode, we learn more about how Domino provides advanced coding, marking, and printing technologies that support serialization, compliance, and high-quality product identification, and how GS1 standards help ensure reliable, accurate, and traceable information across global healthcare supply chains
11/28/25 • 13:26
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features EM Microelectronic and CCL Healthcare.In this episode, we learn more about how EM Microelectronic enables advanced product identification and secure data capture through innovative RFID and semiconductor technologies, and how CCL Healthcare delivers cutting-edge packaging, labeling, and digital serialisation solutions that support patient safety and regulatory compliance. Together, they highlight how GS1 standards make interoperable, trusted, and scalable traceability possible across the global healthcare supply chain.
11/28/25 • 11:09
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features MM Packaging.In this episode, we learn more about how MM Packaging delivers high-quality, innovative pharmaceutical packaging solutions that support safety, compliance, and efficient product handling, and how GS1 standards help ensure accurate identification, traceability, and reliability across global healthcare supply chains.
11/28/25 • 08:10
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Osapiens.In this episode, we learn more about how Osapiens supports global healthcare and life sciences companies with end-to-end digital compliance, product traceability, and ESG transparency solutions, and how GS1 standards help enable secure, interoperable data flows that drive trust, efficiency, and regulatory readiness across the healthcare value chain.
11/28/25 • 10:02
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features REA Elektronik.In this episode, we learn more about how REA provides high-precision coding, marking, and verification technologies that ensure accurate, compliant, and high-quality barcode implementation for healthcare and pharmaceutical products, and how GS1 standards help secure reliable identification and traceability across global supply chains.
11/28/25 • 08:41
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features SEA Vision.In this episode, we learn more about how SEA Vision delivers advanced vision systems, serialisation solutions, and digital inspection technologies that support quality control, compliance, and traceability in pharmaceutical production, and how GS1 standards help ensure accurate identification, secure data exchange, and end-to-end supply chain visibility.
11/28/25 • 10:38
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features SoftGroup.In this episode, we learn more about how SoftGroup provides end-to-end serialisation, aggregation, and traceability solutions that help pharmaceutical manufacturers meet global regulatory requirements, and how GS1 standards support secure product identification, compliant data exchange, and increased visibility across the healthcare supply chain.
11/28/25 • 08:51
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Wipotec.In this episode, we learn more about how Wipotec delivers high-precision weighing, inspection, and track-and-trace solutions for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, and how GS1 standards help ensure accurate identification, compliant serialisation, and reliable data capture across global supply chains.
11/28/25 • 08:01
Recorded live at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, this On-Air at the Marketplace episode features Zebra Technologies.In this episode, we learn more about how Zebra supports healthcare stakeholders with advanced scanning, mobility, and data-capture technologies that enable efficient workflows, real-time visibility, and trusted product identification, and how GS1 standards help ensure interoperability, accuracy, and traceability from manufacturer to point of care.
11/28/25 • 13:32
We’re taking a short summer break and will be back in September with more stories about how GS1 standards are building safer, smarter, and more connected healthcare systems worldwide.Since January, we’ve covered real-world impact, from barcoded bed nets in Nigeria and sustainable anaesthetic gas recovery in the UK, to medical device tracking in China, serialisation to fight counterfeit medicines, and clinical trial transformation with Myonex.Thank you for tuning in from 68 countries and 210+ cities across the globe.Missed an episode? Now’s the perfect time to catch up ,including our after-show conversations. See you in September!
6/29/25 • 02:54
In this special after-show episode, we continue the conversation on transforming clinical trial supply chains with Nicolas Le Rudulier from Myonex.Building on Episode 9, we dive deeper into how GS1 standards were implemented at Creapharm (now Myonex), the hurdles faced during the transition, and how global barcodes are reshaping traceability in clinical research. Nicolas shares insights from the original GS1 case study that inspired this episode—and offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to standardize such a complex supply chain.
6/17/25 • 09:54
In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, we learn more on how one barcode is helping fix a critical problem in clinical trials: a lack of consistency in how products are tracked and managed.For years, each company used its own codes and systems, making it hard to collaborate and trace medicines across the supply chain. But that’s changing.We follow the story of Creapharm (now Myonex) and how they adopted GS1 standards, using the GS1 DataMatrix barcode to track investigational drugs from production to the clinical trial site. With global identifiers like the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) and Protocol ID, they improved safety, reduced delays, and made the supply chain work better for everyone, from pharma companies to clinical research teams.This episode shows how one small barcode can bring clarity, safety, and speed to one of healthcare’s most complex systems.
6/16/25 • 06:30
In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, discover how a leading hospital in China is transforming patient care with smarter traceability.At The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, managing high-value medical devices used to be a manual, error-prone process, with delayed deliveries, paperwork overload, and risks to patient safety.Today, it's a different story. By adopting Unique Device Identification (UDI) and GS1 global standards, the hospital has given every critical device a digital identity, enabling real-time tracking from warehouse, to storage, to bedside.Using global identifiers like the GTIN, barcode scanning, and smart storage technology, they’ve built a seamless, data-driven system that reduces errors, accelerates operations, and enhances accountability.This episode shows how trusted data and global standards are redefining healthcare logistics, and why traceability isn’t just a system upgrade, it’s a patient safety imperative.
5/26/25 • 05:46
In this special after-show episode, we continue the conversation on protecting patients from counterfeit medicines with Blair Korman, Senior Director of Digital Identification & Traceability at Johnson & Johnson. Building on Episode 7, we explore the real-world challenges of implementing serialisation in countries without traceability laws, the role GS1 standards play in making it possible, and the impact this initiative is already having on the ground.
5/4/25 • 10:22
In this episode, we learn more on a global health risk hiding in plain sight: counterfeit medicines. These fake or stolen drugs endanger millions of lives, especially in regions where traceability isn’t yet legally required.Listen to this episode of SCAN/STORIES to learn how Johnson & Johnson is stepping up with a bold approach using serialisation and GS1 standards to track and verify every product, even beyond regulatory requirements. Discover how global standards like GTINs and GS1 DataMatrix barcodes are helping protect patients and secure the supply chain.From lifesaving verification in underserved regions to scalable innovation that puts patients first, this story shows how trust, technology, and global collaboration can make all the difference.
5/3/25 • 05:12
In this episode, we travel to Nigeria, the country with the highest malaria burden in the world, to explore a bold new approach to fighting this deadly disease.Malaria kills thousands every year, but a game-changing pilot is proving how something as simple as a barcode can help turn the tide. Insecticide-treated bed nets are a vital prevention tool but ensuring they reach the right households has long been a challenge.Listen to this episode of SCAN/STORIES to discover how the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program, in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Programme, used GS1 standards to trace every net from manufacturer to home. From real-time visibility to household-level verification, this story shows how GS1 standards are delivering hope—and protection—where it’s needed most.
4/19/25 • 05:27
In this episode, we uncover a groundbreaking innovation that’s tackling a hidden environmental challenge in healthcare: waste anaesthetic gases. Every year, millions of surgical procedures release these harmful gases into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. But what if we could stop this waste in its tracks?Listen to this episode to learn how SageTech Medical is leading the way with a pioneering solution that captures and recycles anaesthetic gases, creating a circular economy for these essential medical agents. Discover how GS1 standards, like GTINs and GS1 DataMatrix barcodes, ensure traceability, compliance, and sustainability in this game-changing initiative.From reducing emissions by up to 90% to reshaping the future of green healthcare, this episode showcases the power of innovation and global standards working together for a more sustainable world. [Disclaimer: this episode was produced using AI].
3/19/25 • 05:32
In this special after-show episode, we continue the conversation on reducing anaesthetic gas emissions with Dr. Steve Wileman, Head of Research at SageTech Medical. Building on Episode 5, we dive deeper into the inspiration behind the SID-Can, the challenges faced during development, and the impact this innovation is having on sustainability in healthcare.
3/19/25 • 10:10
In this episode, we welcome Volker Ditscher, Director of Global Sales Track & Trace at WIPOTEC, for a conversation to learn more on the role of traceability and GS1 standards in healthcare. Volker shares how WIPOTEC integrates GS1 standards to enhance patient safety, streamline supply chains, and drive innovation in global healthcare. From strengthening collaborations with GS1 Healthcare to envisioning the future of traceability, Volker highlights the value of the GS1 Healthcare Global Partnerships and the critical role of GS1 standards in building a more resilient healthcare ecosystem.
2/18/25 • 07:22
In this episode, we will dive into the transformative vision of ‘One Product, One Barcode’, a simple yet groundbreaking initiative reshaping healthcare. We’ll discover how a single barcode can revolutionise patient safety, streamline supply chains, and enhance global traceability in healthcare. We’ll learn about the challenges, industry readiness, and the steps needed to turn this vision into reality. From reducing errors to enabling faster recalls, this is the future of healthcare innovation.
2/5/25 • 05:02
