In recent years, the medical cannabis industry has experienced significant growth and acceptance worldwide. With this growth comes the need for robust and efficient systems to manage the complex processes involved in cannabis cultivation, processing, and distribution. This is where Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) play a crucial role. In this blog post, we will dive into the LIMS in the Medical Cannabis industry together.
LIMS in the medical cannabis industry serve as a comprehensive solution for managing laboratory workflows, data, and compliance requirements.
Here are the key features of a LIMS in the Medical Cannabis Industry
Sample Submission
Submit samples easily through our Customer Portal or in person, using barcode-enabled Chain of Custody (COC) for streamlined tracking of sample location, possession and status.
Chain of Custody Tracking
Trace sample and aliquot information seamlessly from collection to disposal, ensuring ownership and location tracking throughout the lab workflow, even if samples are sent to multiple locations for testing.
Quality Assurance in Testing and Analysis
Perform qualitative and quantitative tests for potency, terpene content, microbial presence, solvent residues, heavy metals, and pesticides. Record, track, and generate test results, along with maintaining SOPs and ingredient lists to comply with TGO 93 Standards.
Formulation and Raw Material Management
Develop and track product and intermediate product formulations, detailing components and quantities, as well as manufacturing steps.
Instrument Integration and Lab Automation
Integrate the LIMS with your spectrometers and chromatographs for seamless data exchange, either through API or file-based integration.
Analytical and Regulatory Reporting
Generate clear and meaningful reports, including Certificates of Analysis (COA) according to TGO93 requirements, and authenticate test reports with e-signatures.
Data Security and Auditing
Ensure data security with role-based access controls and e-signatures, preventing unauthorised access and ensuring compliance with ISO 17025 and FDA’s CFR 21 Part 11.
Conforming to TGO 93 Standards with QLIMS
The Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act 2016 saw the rise of the medical cannabis industry in Australia, as it permitted the research, cultivation and production of medical cannabis and related products. Following this, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had a new task on their hands, regulating the production and manufacturing of what was once a Schedule 9 (S9) drug.
As such, the TGA issued a new standard to specify the minimum quality requirements that unapproved medicinal cannabis products imported into and supplied or manufactured in Australia must adhere to, this came to be known as TGO 93 (Standard for Medicinal Cannabis).
TGO 93 stipulated that any company within Australia looking to import, export, or manufacture Medicinal Cannabis products had to adhere to the standard and ensure that the active ingredients and cannabinoids present in the final product are strictly derived from the cannabis plant.
As TGO 93 involves recording, tracking and reporting on a range of macroscopic and microscopic examinations as well as chromatographic procedures, handling the data via a paper-based method becomes quite cumbersome and has no reportable audit trail.
This is essentially where labs need assistance with a reliable LIMS system.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a LIMS can benefit your medical cannabis operations or if you have any questions, contact us today to explore how QLIMS can streamline your lab workflows and ensure compliance with industry standards. Let’s take your laboratory management to the next level together!
