J&J begins RFID tagging to prepare for ePedigree

Johnson & Johnson has begun RFID tagging some pharmaceuticals in anticipation of electronic pedigree (ePedigree) regulations coming into force in California.

Tagging of a single unnamed product manufactured in Puerto Rico is mainly an information gathering exercise, RFID 24-7 reports.

With the initial 2015 deadline for Californian ePedigree laws edging closer J&J needs such real-world information to plan a more widespread roll-out of RFID tagging.

"We have moved out of the exploration phase and we're in the packaging suite with live products. This is intended to move the technology into the supply chain," said Tom Pizzuto, part of the RFID team at J&J.

J&J will now work with its trading partners to monitor and assess the RFID project. Information gathered from this collaborative test will feed into development new processes J&J needs for ePedigree in 2015, Pizzuto said.

With fewer than 30 months until the first wave of the staggered Californian ePedigree requirements are due to come into force J&J is trying to learn quickly from its own trial and the experience of other industries.

"[The 2015 deadline] is not that far away when you have as many lines...as we do," Pizzuto said.