QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS IN
PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY
CONTROL LABORATORIES
.
COLETTE IFUDU
QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER
NAFDAC CENTRAL DRUG CONTROL
LABORATORY YABA
Learning Objective
To understand the requirements of QMS in Quality
Control Laboratory and be able to implement same in a
GMP environment and meet the quality objectives of
the company.
OUTLINE
Definition of QMS
Quality Management System
Responsibility
Resources
Organization
Personnel
Accommodation
Documentation
Occurrence Management
Self Audit
Monitoring laboratory QMS
Effective implementation of QMS in the laboratory
Quality Management System
Is the organizational
structure,responsibilities,procedures ,processes, and
resources for implementing quality management.
Organizational structure
Responsibilities
Processes and Procedures
- Laboratory process flow
Resources
Responsibility
The management should ensure that all parts of
the quality management system are adequately
resourced with competent personnel, suitable
premises ,equipment and facilities.
Resources
Ensure necessary resources are available for running & maintenance
of the laboratory
Adequate number of trained personnel
Trained deputies for specialized scientific personnel
Appropriate infrastructure
Size
Facilities-water ,waste disposal etc.
Equipment- analytical, safety etc.
Resources
Energy supply
Robust material procurement system to avoid
stock out
Provide support services
others
Organization
Organizational structure showing the place of the laboratory in
the parent organization.
Each manufacturer should have a QC department, independent
from production and other departments
Responsibilities of key personnel of the parent organization, the
Quality Control Manager and supervisors, Analysts and support
staff .
Personnel Awareness of their duties and contribution to meeting
management system objectives
Appropriate communication processes by top management
regarding the effectiveness of management system
Personnel
Use competent staff including contracted employees
Supervise as necessary
Document qualifications and training
Maintain documented training programs-effectiveness of training
actions shall be evaluated
Job description for all personnel
Special authorization for sampling,test,issuing test
reports/certificates and giving opinions.
Competency of Personnel
What is Competency?
Knowledge
Skill
Personal Attributes
-Complete knowledge of the method and proper capability to
carry out the analytical test and achieve an accurate and
reliable results.
Scheduled assessment of personnel competency should be
conducted.
Accommodation
Suitable for chemical and microbiological analytical testings'.
Monitor, control and record environmental conditions
Control access to laboratories
Effective separation between incompatible activities-prevent
cross contaminations
Good housekeeping
Documentation
SOPs
Work instructions
Logs and records
Reports
Computerized lab Information Management System (LIMS)
Data Integrity
Document creation, revision and review, control &
distribution
Records collection, review ,storage and retention
Documentation -Document Control
-Is a system for ensuring only current documents are used and
easy review and updating of documents.
-Good documentation practice is the bedrock of QMS
Create Document
-unique identification
-Approved by authourized person
Distribute document
-electronic and/or hard copy
-who needs the document
-Maintain distribution list
Document Control
Document Review
-done by same function that approved
-when is due for revision
-When there is need for alteration/change
Staff notified of change and review
-training (where necessary)
Old documents retrieved and placed by new ones
Master list of documents updated to reflect changes
Document Control
Authourized editions are available at the location needed
(right document at the right place)
Invalid or obsolete documents removed
Obsolete retained documents are marked
Periodic review and revision of procedures
Documentation- Control of Records
Quality and Technical Records
Retrievable and traceable
Retention time of records
Storage, security
Protect and back-up records stored electronically
Technical Records
Original Observations-
Worksheet and/or logbooks,
Equipment logs
test reports
Chromatographs
Spectra
Print-outs and sheets
Certificate of Analysis/calibration certificate
Documentation
Follow the SOP on Good Documentation Practice at all time
Use permanent ink, write clearly, strike out mistakes or errors
neatly with single line, make entry at the time each action is taken
Do not use pencil,tipp-ex,shorten signatures or use signature that
is not referenced, tick entries or leave any required space blank.
Never discard original Data
Record data to its completeness
Always sign and date
Never indulge in fraudulent practices
Attributes of Good Document
Simple :Content should be clear
Orderly: Easy to follow and check
Clear and Legible: Clear photocopies and readable handwriting
Sufficient space for data entry: For interactive document
Up-to-date :Amendments approved, signed and dated
Free form Errors
“MUST HAVE” PROCEDURES
The laboratory should establish, implement and maintain authorized written SOPs
including,
Change control
Internal audit and Self Assessment
Handling complaints
Corrective and preventive actions
Personnel training
Validation and Verification
Qualification and Calibration
“ MUST HAVE”PROCEDURES
Hygiene;
Purchase and receipt of materials
Handling of reference substances
and reference materials
Storage of materials, labeling and quarantine
Equipment qualification and calibration
monitoring of environmental and storage conditions
Disposal of waste
“MUST HAVE”PROCEDURES
Safety measures,
Preventive maintenance and verification of instruments and equipment;
Sampling,
Testing of samples with descriptions of the methods and equipment used,
Investigation of atypical and OOS results,
Validation of analytical procedures,
Cleaning of laboratory facilities, including bench tops, equipment, work
stations, clean rooms (aseptic suites) and glassware;
SOPs can never be too many.
Occurrence Management
Deviation control
Investigation of failures (OOS,OOT)
Complaints
Root Cause analysis
Immediate action
Corrective action
Preventive action
Self Audit
Formal or informal assessment of own processes
Based on risk assessment of processes/SOPs
Schedule priority based on risk level –
High,Medium,low.
More frequent than internal audit.
Generate report and forward to QA
Implement CAPA
Monitoring laboratory QMS
“It isn't what you find……
it’s what you do about what you find”
Phillip Crosby.
Continuous monitoring is the key element to success in the quality system
Key performance indicators to monitor effectiveness of processes
Periodic audits carried out to verify compliance to procedures, standards and other
requirements of the quality management system.
Identified gaps corrected in a timely manner
Audit reports generated .
Process improvement
Effective implementation of QMS in
the Laboratory-1
Ensure that;
Analysis is conducted in a way that is compliant to the
requirements of GLP.
Management and personnel responsibilities clearly defined
Analysis conducted in a timely manner
Measures employed to assure the quality of test results strictly
adhered to.
Effective implementation of QMS in the
Laboratory-2
Maintain a current /up to date collection of records used and
generated in the laboratory
Ensure product traceability from receipt to final disposal.
-sample log, labeling, accompanying documents
Appropriate safety procedures and measures Provide adequate
supervision of personnel.
Provision of overall technical resources needed to ensure the
required quality of operations.
Ensure adequate information flow between personnel at all levels.
Effective implementation of QMS in
the Laboratory-3
Make staff aware of the relevance and importance of their
activities and how they contribute to the achievement of the
objectives of the management system
Trainings and Competency assessments are conducted at
scheduled intervals.
Deviations from procedure are investigated and documented
Appropriate corrective and preventive action
Change control system established implemented, monitored.
Effective implementation of QMS in the
Laboratory-4
Management review of the QMS
Assessment of quality objectives and KPIs
Changes in work volume, regulatory requirements, company and
government polices etc.
Personnel requirements
Out come of reviews become action plans for continuous
improvement of the QMS.
Group Exercise
An API Company has just employed a Quality Control
manager to implement QMS in her Quality Control
laboratory. What are the things to put in place to
implement and maintain QMS in the laboratory and
possible problems that will be encountered.
SUMMARY
Laboratory controls in GMP is very important as most pronouncements
on the quality ,safety and efficacy of all starting
materials ,intermediate and finished products are determined by the
Quality control laboratory .
Implementing the requirements of QMS in the laboratories will
definitely improve product quality ,reduce wastage and possibility of
recalls, build personnel capacity, improve company image and
finance as well as facilitating continuous improvement of the
company’s quality policy and objectives and provide customer
satisfaction.