International Journal for Pharmaceutical

Research Scholars (IJPRS)

V-2, I-2, 2013 ISSN No: 2277 - 7873
REVIEW ARTICLE

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): A Review

Patel NK*, Sharda AM, Patel RC, Dixit PB, Vyas HA
*
Dept. of Quality Assuarance & Regulatory Affairs, L.J. Campus, Sarkhej Anand Cross Road,
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Manuscript No: IJPRS/V2/I2/00069, Received On: 19/04/2013, Accepted On: 23/04/2013
ABSTRACT
Laboratory Information System (LIS) streamlines workflow in the laboratory and eliminates time-
consuming paperwork. The business today is getting increasingly pressured to be more productive and
efficient with less traditional resources. If we look at a typical production process, for instance, the level
of automation and optimization that has permeated into the production floor is quite astounding. Many
industries have had a tremendous impact in bringing to the market the automation and optimization
solutions to streamline -the production floor. The other ends of the spectrum are the back-office
transaction oriented processes like Inventory Management, Materials Management, Financials and so
on, Therefore a lab’s ability to process data quickly and its ability to disseminate that information
efficiently throughout the plant is vital for the success of the production process. Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS) can help in managing the information flow within the lab and can be the
modus operandi of connecting the lab with the rest of the organization. For instance, imagine all the
information that is generated in a lab.
KEYWORDS
Automation, optimization, laboratory management.
INTRODUCTION
The modern laboratory exists in an environment constraint and then based on that information,
that produces a large amount of data. With the allow customers to make decisions.
advent of new technologies, both the quality and
Nowadays, traditional record keeping solutions
quantity of information is increasing
are simply not up to the task. A LIMS can be of
exponentially. This increase of data can cause
great importance in integrating laboratory
significant problems and methods are needed to
operations with the laboratory itself. One of the
manage it. One such method used is a LIMS. A
most important aims of a LIMS is the
LIMS provides a way of automating part of the
integration of many different sub-processes,
laboratory system. In a traditional laboratory
bringing together and consolidating the efforts
75% of the total cost comes from manpower.
of potentially many individuals and
Removing the need for some human interaction
consequently speeding up the whole process.
can significantly reduce overheads. The primary
LIMSs can save considerable amounts of time
function of most laboratories is to provide
and dramatically improve the level of data
validated information under some sort of time
access for all stakeholders of any given project.
*Address for Correspondence: This is where a LIMS can become extremely
Patel Naishi K
L.J. Campus, Sarkhej Sanand Cross Rd, Ahmedabad, beneficial. The sooner the user is notified of a
Gujarat , India. problem, the sooner that problem can be fixed
E-Mail Id: [email protected]
and the less the solution will cost. The ideal

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 L aboratory I nformation M anagement System (L I M S): A Review

LIMS should help provide the documentation to management of its information resource.

ensure that a laboratory and all of its operations
LIMS are not just about running a more
exist in compliance. LIMSs have been used for
efficient laboratory: it is a mission-critical
over 20 years and the technology has been
component of a successful commercial
considerably evolved during this time. This
laboratory in quality control, process control
paper will document the current state of the
and R&D environments.

LIMS technology and attempt to identify some
of the pitfalls of the current technology. LIMS is the conduit for information from
the minutiae of data from lab
Laboratory Information System – Features

instrumentation, back to the controlled
Multi-site, multi-facility specimen tracking environment managed by the operator, and
and lab support on into enterprise-wide process control
 systems.

Accurate, up-to-the-minute patient data and
charge information When used strategically within a corporate

Information Management and IT structure,
Automatic generation of collection lists,
labels and worksheets LIMS can provide the crucial link between


the laboratory and the wider operations of
Instant comparison and statistical analysis of the business
test results

Need For LIMS

On-line patient inquiries, reports, and
LIMS provides solution to labs that fit
summaries

within the overall corporate strategy,
Integrated inventory management and enabling flexibility and cost reduction and
maintenance scheduling for laboratory better service.

instruments

LIMS enables the labs to Reach beyond the
Process screens that allow multiple four walls of the lab by allowing to Share
functions to be accessed for multiple information with internal and external
patients and specimens from one screen customers facilitating the Virtual Lab and

provide business benefit in real-time.

Lab Reagents & Kits Inventory
Management LIMS helps to improve management

capabilities by rapid reporting at various
Lab Register Maintenance

levels of detail.

Automatic indenting for the material
Currently, in most labs, all of that
required based on the consumption and
information is in isolated pockets in the
Uploading of Patient Reports on the Web for
forms of lab notebooks, logs, manual
on-line viewing and printing

reports, excel spreadsheets and so on.
Equipments Interface for capturing of result Therefore, if after a month of a sample result
publication, the lab needs to track every step
Background & Objectives

of the sample’s path in the lab, it would be a
The management and administration of data tedious and often impossible task. This form
is often the key to competitive advantage. of hardship in tracking sample information

can lead to grave danger in terms of quality
Information is a crucial capital asset of any
business, none more so than within the processes adhered by a lab. With the help of
modern laboratory environment. a LIMS, managing all this information


becomes an easy and natural process as
The commercial prospects of the operation these applications are developed specifically
are directly related to the successful having these criteria in view.

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 L aboratory I nformation M anagement System (L I M S): A Review

Figure 1: Working Plan for LIMS

Case Studies products Regulatory Agency (MHRA),

Australia-Therapeutic Goods Administration
1. Dabur Pharma Limited
(TGA) etc. IPCA has operations in over 100
Dabur Pharma Limited is the leading Indian countries. Forbes, a leading US business
company for cancer research and anticancer magazine, selected Ipca in 2003 among its
products. The company also markets a range top 200 successful, rising companies outside
of products in the cardiovascular, USA, with sales under USD 1 Billion. Ipca
antibacterial, antidiabetic & digestive is one of the largest suppliers of these APIs
segments. Dabur Pharma Limited, a public like Atenolol, Chloroquine Phosphate,
limited company incorporated in March Furosemide etc. and their intermediates
2003, is an associate company of Dabur world over.
India Limited, a US $ 250 million healthcare
company founded in 1884. Dabur Pharma Market Dynamics in India
Limited operates in Europe and in some LIMS market is in a nascent stage.


other markets through its fully owned
subsidiary - Dabur Oncology Plc. The Dabur The market is estimated around US$ 5
group of companies has a legacy of trust and million with an expected growth rate of 15–
excellence in the healthcare business. 20 % per year.
2. IPCA  Major Players: Labvantage Solutions, Star
Ipca is a fully integrated, rapidly growing LIMS, Labware, Thermo Scientific, Perkin
Indian pharmaceutical company. Ipca's APIs Elmer and Novatech.

and Formulations produced at world class
Indigenous LIMS providers such as Caliber
manufacturing facilities are approved by
Systems, Ocimum Biosystems and Oasis
leading drug regulatory authorities including
LIMS have 15-20% market share.
the US-Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), UK-Medicines and Healthcare

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 L aboratory I nformation M anagement System (L I M S): A Review

CONCLUSION REFERENCES
LIMS is centric to the activities of a wide range 1. www.akhilsystems.com/solution-lis.html
of companies to ensure that their product – be it 2. www.iaia.org.in
a manufactured item or a piece of information-is
produced effectively and to specifications. 3. caliberindia.com/showcase.htm
LIMS will help in reducing the time needed to 4. http://www.iptonline.com/articles/public/IPT
get a product into market by providing the best _18_pg104-108_2005.pdf
information quickly and in an easy to assimilate
form that is accurate and meets the regulator’s 5. http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/B.Tagger/Lim
and customer’s demands. sPaper.pdf

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