@Halal September/October 2023 | Page 33

As for lower-level management and staff , Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs ) were in place for them to adhere to , such as the company ’ s whistle-blowing policy that protects the identity of staff members should they wish to report any corruption or bribery issues , thereby adhering to the anti-bribery and anti-corruption requirements of the company .

“ I believe in top-down and bottomup communication policies ,” she added .

“ When there is two-way communication , you can easily manage your employees and spot any pitfalls . With the processes and SOPs in place , you can make incremental improvements occasionally .”

Siti Sa ' diah also believes this form of two-way communication will benefit and motivate employees better in their work . The industry veteran stated that upper and top management needs to play an active role in leadership , such as participating in company town halls and striking conversations with middle management and employees .

“ Top management must look at middle management so that middle management can convey the policies that have been declared by top management . Furthermore , employees working on the floor can devise solutions to problems . That is something we should not undermine .”

COMMITMENT TO HALAL COMPLIANCE

Duopharma Biotech ’ s leadership in halal pharmaceuticals in Malaysia is the result of their unwavering commitment to halal compliance and dedication to meeting consumers ’ diverse needs . Their journey towards becoming a leader in halal pharmaceuticals was underpinned by several key factors that have earned them distinction within the industry and trust from their consumers .

First and foremost , their commitment to halal compliance starts from the very foundation of their operations . Duopharma Biotech has established a comprehensive and well-organised Halal Assurance Management System that strictly complies with the Malaysian Halal Management System by JAKIM .

This system ensures that halal principles are deeply ingrained in every aspect of their business operations , from product development to manufacturing , packaging and distribution .

“ We move boldly to promote halal . We want Duopharma Biotech to be the champion of halal pharmaceuticals , and we want to make Malaysian the halal champion and producer , “ said Siti Sa ' diah .

“ It is not only our job but also our corporate responsibility to assure our customers and patients that our products are halal without them having to second-guess if their choices go against their faith .”

Furthermore , Duopharma Biotech uses digital technology to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of its halal management processes .

She explained that through digital applications , they conduct internal audits at their premises , including evaluations of production facilities and vendor assessments .

“ This digital approach has allowed us to maintain proactive halal compliance and address any potential

Duopharma Biotech Berhad Chief Executive Officer ( Commercial ) Wan Amir-Jeffery ( second from right ) received the Halal Prominent Brand Excellence Award ( Local ) at the World Halal Excellence Awards 2022 on behalf of Duopharma Biotech . The award was presented by Dato ’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi , Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia ( centre ), accompanied by the Minister of Investment , Trade and Industry ( MITI ), Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz ( second from left ).

Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa ' diah Sh Bakir .

Flavettes , a home-grown health supplements product , was honoured with the prestigious Halal Prominent Brand Excellence Award ( Local ) at the World Halal Excellence Awards 2022 .

issues swiftly .”

Besides that , research and development ( R & D ) is also a vital component of Duopharma Biotech ’ s success in halal pharmaceuticals . According to Siti Sa ' diah , three to five per cent of their revenue is committed to R & D .

“ We continuously invest in cuttingedge technology and research to explore new opportunities for halal pharmaceutical development .

“ By incorporating halal requirements into the early stages of product development , we ensure that all new Duopharma Innovation Sdn Bhd products are halal . It defines the ‘ Halal

Built-in ’ concept described in our Halal Policy .”

Due to their transparent and ethical practices within the industry , Duopharma Biotech has earned recognition and trust within the pharmaceutical industry .

In doing so , Duopharma Biotech is committed to providing high-quality halal pharmaceutical products that meet international standards and align with their customers ’ and patients ’ beliefs .

CHALLENGES AND BEYOND Despite Duopharma Biotech ’ s successes over the years , the road to its achievements is not one without bumps along the way .

Like any other industry , the price of raw materials have skyrocketed dramatically . Duopharma Biotech was forced to source their materials directly from their country of origin , such as China and India , to keep up with manufacturing outputs .

Unfortunately , it does not stop there .

“ Local prices have gone up as well ,” she asserted when asked about Duopharma Biotech ’ s challenges .

“ It is a combination of rising operation costs from all our sites including the increase in minimum wages . We will always provide the best for our employees . However , the increase in minimum wage has a direct impact on the cost of goods , and as such , this will have to be transferred to consumers . The increase in these costs has taken a toll on our finances .”

Despite these financial setbacks , Malaysia ’ s halal pharmaceutical industry ’ s prospects look promising and have been steadily advancing .

Siti Sa ' diah said Duopharma Biotech had set a solid foundation by introducing the Malaysia Standard MS2424 Halal Pharmaceutical Guidelines in 2012 .

“ Since then , the country has made remarkable progress , and today , it boasts an impressive portfolio of approximately 4,000 halal-registered pharmaceutical products .”

However , more can be done within the industry .

“ Despite the growth and progress , there remains a general lack of awareness regarding halal pharmaceuticals .

“ Increasing awareness among consumers and healthcare professionals is crucial to unlock the full potential of the halal pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia . It requires unrelenting and concerted efforts by all healthcare and halal ecosystem stakeholders .”

“ With greater awareness , we can expect to witness even more pronounced growth and wider acceptance of halal pharmaceutical products domestically and internationally ,” she concluded .–

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