@ HalalXtra 14 July-August 2022
HALAL HEALTH
BUILDING A HALAL LEGACY
Jardin Pharma Berhad aims to be listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2026
BY FATIHAH MANAF
THE pandemic has prompted significant investments in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors , including the segment of halal pharmaceuticals . According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2022 Report , Muslim spending on pharmaceuticals increased by 6.5 per cent in 2021 , from US $ 93.5 billion to US $ 100 billion , and is forecasted to reach US $ 129 billion by 2025 .
With significant investments in place and consumers ’ increasing health awareness , the halal pharmaceutical sector and broader ecosystem are poised for substantial growth .
Established in the middle of a global pandemic in 2021 , Jardin Pharma Berhad ( JPB ), a Malaysian pharmaceutical company , is ready to set its halal footprints globally .
Prof . Dr Azizi Ayob , co-founder and business advisor of Jardin Pharma , said setting up the company during the pandemic came with challenges . However , despite the movement restriction during the period , the team could see the demand for the healthcare segment .
“ Of course , there were challenges , but we foresaw them and managed well . At the same time , we felt the need to pick up the opportunity , particularly in the healthcare and pharmaceutical segments ,” Dr Azizi told @ HalalXtra .
With the healthcare and pharmaceutical segments as the company ’ s main focus , Jardin Pharma extends its business activities through various subsidiaries . These subsidiaries under Jardin Pharma focus on different components such as research and development ( R & D ), manufacturing , marketing , distribution and trading , and product development .
“ Soon , we ’ re also going to have Jardin Healthcare Sdn Bhd . Under this , we will have various clinical and medical services at our Mary Eve Clinics and the upcoming Jardin Hospital
Saujana Utama Sdn Bhd .” FOCUSING ON NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Commenting on the halal pharmaceutical market in Malaysia , Dr Azizi said some pharmaceutical product categories could be halal certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ), including overthe-counter ( OTC ) or nonprescription medicines .
“ Whereas drugs or medicines that require prescriptions are not allowed by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency ( NPRA ) to use the halal status ,” he added .
As one of its strategies , Dr Azizi said Jardin Pharma would emphasise non-generic and nonprescription medicines , particularly under the food segment , food supplements and functional food .
“ These are the three segments that we could focus more on . It is a bit easier for us to obtain halal certificates for them . These segments do not require a practitioner or doctor to approve . You can get the halal certification if you comply with JAKIM ’ s halal requirements .
“ We have gummy as one of our products . The product is considered as food rather than a supplement , even though it is a vitamin . We believe this is one of the segments we can expand further to capture some of the halal
Welcoming XORIX Sdn Bhd to Jardin Pharma group of companies .