This workshop provides an in-depth understanding of the Quality Assurance Person (QAP) role and responsibilities within the cannabis industry. The quality department is crucial for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of cannabis products, overseeing all activities that impact these areas. It also verifies that all contracted services meet both company quality standards and regulatory requirements. The training will cover key topics such as Good Production Practices (GPP), quality system requirements including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), complaints handling, recalls, laboratory testing, and sanitation programs.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and explore the extensive responsibilities and expectations placed on quality systems within the regulatory framework. This comprehensive overview aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to uphold and enhance quality standards in the cannabis industry.
This workshop is ideal for companies in the process of obtaining a Cannabis Licence through Health Canada, providing the necessary education for designated QAPs or Alternate QAPs to meet the required qualifications for their roles.
This workshop is tailored for prospective quality assurance professionals, aspiring Quality Assurance Persons (QAPs), compliance officers, quality control specialists, and regulatory affairs professionals within the cannabis industry. It is particularly beneficial for those responsible for ensuring product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, individuals involved in overseeing contracted services, developing and implementing SOPs, managing complaints and recalls, conducting laboratory testing, and maintaining sanitation programs will find this training invaluable for enhancing their understanding and execution of quality assurance responsibilities. This workshop is also ideal for anyone considering or currently applying for a cannabis licence through Health Canada.
This workshop covers the following topics:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of cannabis regulations, guidance documents, and the licensing application process for cannabis production facilities.
Mastery of Quality Assurance Fundamentals for Cannabis:Acquire foundational knowledge of quality assurance principles specific to cannabis production.
Proficiency in Record Keeping and SOP Development:Develop skills in effective record keeping practices and writing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cannabis production.
Competence in Complaint Management, Sanitation, and Hazard Analysis:Understand procedures for managing complaints, executing recalls, and developing sanitation programs for cannabis production facilities.
Learn the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Preventative Control Plans (PCPs) for cannabis production. Certificate of Attendance and Course Material.
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon completion of the workshop.
Note: Registration closes one week prior to the start of workshop.
Pharma, Cannabis
Hina brings diverse and innovative practical skills learned in a range of positions within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. She has over 20 years of experience in different areas of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, with a focus on compliance, and has worked with solid/liquid doses, medical devices and cannabis. Hina has worked for many leading companies including: Shoppers Drug Mart, Apotex Incorporated, Baxter Corporation and The Supreme Cannabis Company. She is also the Prinicipal and Managing Director of CannaPharm Consulting and Training. As a results-oriented leader, Hina is able to effectively use her communication, analytical and management skills to drive companies forward.
Pharma, Cannabis
Jason Chu is an experienced laboratory instructor at AAPS focusing on quality control and research and development functions in the pharmaceutical industry. He is an expert in HPLC, Dissolution, Pharmaceutical Laboratory Tests and GMP regulations. Beyond the classrooms at AAPS, he has led corporate training covering topics on WHMIS, health and safety, GMP regulations and data integrity.
Prior to joining AAPS, he was an Analytical Research and Development Chemist at Apotex Inc. – task with laboratory investigations, method validation, API screening and process validation support. During his time in R&D, he was appointed as a Designated Compliance Coordinator (DCC) to conduct regularly scheduled self-audits for continuous compliance improvement. At Apotex, he also held position as a Quality Control Chemist – testing raw materials, in-process products, finished products using a variety of laboratory techniques and instruments. In that role, he was also designated as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) task with responding to audit requests conducted by Health Canada and FDA.
Pharma, Cannabis
Atiyyah Ferouz is a cannabis industry professional and the founder of AgCann Consultancy, a cannabis operations consulting agency specializing in process improvements using industry best practices and plant science principles. A plant geneticist by training, Atiyyah completed her Master’s of Science with a focus on plant tissue culture and genetic engineering at Western University through a joint program with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. After working in the food industry and gaining experience in quality assurance, regulatory affairs, product development, and recipe development, Atiyyah transitioned into the cannabis industry.
In October 2018, she became the Tissue Culture Lab Manager for a medically focused indoor cannabis producer in southwestern Ontario. In this role she developed tissue culture media recipes and protocols to optimize the nodal propagation method for several cannabis cultivars, and also gained valuable skills and experience in cannabis cultivation and quality assurance. In her next position, as Director of Business Development and Operations Specialist at a 1 million square foot cannabis greenhouse, Atiyyah took on various roles within the cultivation, research and development, quality assurance, sales and marketing, and operations departments.
Atiyyah is passionate about educating individuals entering the cannabis space and is always eager to share her quality assurance and food development experience, working knowledge of HACCP and GMP implementation, and deep understanding of both cannabis and food regulations with students.
Pharma, Cannabis
Vicky has a background in Applied Science, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs.
Four years ago, she joined AAPS as a QA/RA Consultant. Since then, she has worked with many applicants towards their licence applications, licence amendments, etc. She has also set up quality systems from scratch, written SOPs, developed Hazard Analyses and Preventive Control Plans for various pharma and cannabis clients.
In addition to these, Vicky has performed Gap analyses and prepared various facilities for Health Canada and other regulatory audits. Vicky is passionate about quality and aims to help clients improve their operations, avoid pitfalls, detect compliance issues early, and stick to GPP, GMP and other standards, as applicable.
