@Halal September/October 2026 | Page 25

September-October. 2026 | @ Halal

HALAL PHARMA

QUALITY MATTERS: Halal assurance in pharmaceuticals extends beyond the visible logo, with rigorous processes supporting quality, ethical manufacturing and patient confidence.

lifestyle trends, and the values of halal integrity, built on transparency and responsibility, shape Duopharma Biotech’ s product development strategy.

EXPANDING HALAL PHARMACEUTICALS The halal pharmaceutical sector presents opportunities from consumer awareness to medicine production.

Noor Aida said halal assurance was already well recognised in consumer healthcare, where the halal logo is visible on packaging. However, many prescription medicines are also produced under halal assurance conditions even when the logo does not appear on the label.

This gives Muslim discerning patients a peace of mind in their treatment choices, while assuring all patients of quality and ethical manufacturing standards.

" Marketing today must therefore highlight not just the product itself, but the assurance framework and values that underpin it, because that is what builds lasting trust with both Muslim and non‐Muslim consumers."

Noor Aida Jaafar

The largest untapped opportunity, she said, lies upstream in halal-certified active pharmaceutical ingredients( APIs) and excipients. Policies that encourage demand for halal APIs could enable Malaysian manufacturers to produce a wider range of halal-assured medicines and create export opportunities in Muslim-majority markets.

The scale of demand also supports the sector’ s potential. Malaysia’ s Muslim population forms a strong domestic base, while Muslim consumers globally represent more than 1.9 billion people.

Duopharma Biotech’ s Voice of Customer survey also found that more than 75 per cent of healthcare practitioners considered patient access to halal-assured pharmaceuticals important.

RESPONSIBLE GROWTH Over the next three to five years, Duopharma Biotech aims to expand markets, diversify products and deepen partnerships.

Building on its Malaysia and Southeast Asia base, the company is extending its reach into 31 countries, with halal assurance and sustainability as key differentiators, particularly in the Middle East and emerging markets.

Meanwhile, partnerships with international technology players and regulators will strengthen credibility. She added that the company’ s inclusion in the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and recognition through national awards reinforce stakeholder trust.

“ Commercial growth will be achieved responsibly,” she said, with sustainability embedded in operations and the company’ s brand narrative.

For Noor Aida, progress will extend beyond the markets entered or products developed. She said Duopharma Biotech’ s success will be defined by its ability to deliver medicines and wellness solutions that are“ accessible, ethical, and trusted worldwide”.

For Duopharma Biotech Berhad( Duopharma Biotech), participation in MIHAS 2026 is intended to be more than a product showcase. The event is being positioned as a platform for engagement with international buyers, regulators and industry partners, while strengthening the company’ s standing in halal healthcare.

Duopharma Biotech Chief Commercial Officer Noor Aida Jaafar said MIHAS and WHBC 2026 provide a“ first-approach engagement opportunity” because international stakeholders converge at the platforms.

“ We can demonstrate the credibility of our halal assurance framework. By showcasing our innovation in biosimilars, preventive healthcare, and consumer wellness products, we reinforce that our brands are built on quality, transparency, and ethical governance.”

“ This participation aligns directly with our Halal pillar,” she said, adding that the participation is intended to move its halal positioning beyond compliance and into industry dialogue, including conversations about halal pharmaceuticals and highlighting Duopharma Biotech’ s rigorous processes audited by the Ministry of Health( MoH) and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM).

MIHAS is also seen as a gateway to new markets. The objective is to turn visibility at the trade platform into partnerships and potential market entry, while building international recognition around halal integrity and innovation.

Leading growth in pharmaceuticals requires more than commercial ambition, according to Duopharma Biotech Berhad’ s( Duopharma Biotech) Chief Commercial Officer Noor Aida Jaafar, who identifies trust, authenticity and collective effort as central to leadership.

“ My experience has taught me that leading growth in a highly regulated and competitive industry like pharmaceuticals requires three things: trust, authenticity, and collective effort.”

For Noor Aida, trust is sustained through clear and consistent delivery and staying true to commitments. In a regulated industry, she said, maintaining focus is equally important, particularly by leveraging strengths in halal leadership, innovation and quality credibility.

Her approach places collaboration at the centre of execution. Cross-functional teams, she explained, help ensure strategy translates into action and, ultimately, results.

The leadership lesson extends beyond commercial performance. Noor Aida said her experience reinforced that pharmaceutical leadership is about building trust, aligning focus, and empowering teams to deliver responsibly and sustainably while driving strong performance.

COLLECTIVE STRENGTH: According to Noor Aida, effective leadership in a highly regulated industry depends on clear focus, collaboration and empowering teams to turn strategy into execution.