The Health | december , 2020

BY CAMILIA REZALI

is becoming more relevant to us . More and more people want halal food , halal financial services , halal cosmetics and halal health products .

We are even looking forward to a halalcertified Covid-19 vaccine .

While many might prefer halal products , some especially non-Muslims , do not understand the true concept of halal . ‘ Halal ’ is more understood as a religious concept rather than a lifestyle concept .

But what about the understanding of halal in the pharmaceutical industry ?

Having a clear insight into halal and halal pharmaceuticals is exceedingly vital , notably among medical professionals and patients or consumers . This is to ensure professionals such as doctors and pharmacists can provide the right information so consumers and patients can make the correct choice of medication .

According to a pharmacist from Well-On Pharmacy Sdn Bhd , Santhanathan Rajendran : “ I doubt there is enough knowledge on halal pharmaceuticals and the concept behind the halal logo for pharmacists , especially among non-Muslims .

“ Unless they attend training . There is less dissemination of information and pharmacists don ’ t have enough background information ,” said Santhanathan .

Muslim pharmacists will not have issues on understanding the halal concept compared to non-Muslims . He believed the misconception happens when they think halal products are only for Muslims .

“ To break the misconception , the dissemination of information on halal pharmaceuticals is vital . And the right companies to do this will be leaders in the industry .

Santhanathan went for training conducted by Duopharma Biotech Berhad , a leader in the pharmaceutical industry .

“ I became more aware of what constitutes halal such as to the process and its importance ,” he said .

As more information is shared , there will be less misconception . It will also help the pharmacists become better informed and thus help the public to make a better choice of medications .

Are pharmacists aware of halal ?

Pharmacists are more aware of halal pharmaceutical products as there are times when they need to deal with Muslim customers .

Santhanathan said : “ When we serve a Muslim customer , automatically our priority is to show them a halal product .

“ If there are no other alternatives for halal products , then we show them ones without a halal logo but which do not contain porcine ( pig ) ingredients ,” he said .

Either way , pharmacists uphold their integrity by being truthful to customers when it comes to products which are certified halal by an international authority instead of the local authority .

Consumers will be provided with all the information , and the choice is theirs .

It is not a matter of selling the product alone . It is more about providing the right information for the patients to make a choice .

As there is less dissemination of information on halal products , pharmacists are very much dependent on the presence of the halal logo .

“ The halal logo itself is crucial . I can confidently recommend products with a halal logo to customers . It cannot go wrong .

“ For me , the halal logo is the standard . However , we will request for an authorisation letter for products which do not have the JAKIM-certified halal logo ,” he added .

Availability of substitutes for halal products

If a specific halal medication requested by a customer is not available , are substitute products readily available ? “ Only a few ,” disclosed Santhanathan . “ Choices of substitutes would be available for the basic medicines such as for diarrhoea , cough and cold .

“ Substitutes , especially for original drugs , are not easily available for patients . Supplements are much easier to recommend as they usually come with a halal logo .”

Pharmacists hold a responsibility to follow precisely the medications prescribed by the doctor .

“ Pharmacists cannot suggest any substitute products to customers . If the patient insists on having a halal-based product , we will ask them to refer to the doctor to see if there is any other choice ,” he clarified .

Pharmacists can only suggest a range of medicines and making the right decision is with the customers . And for that , they would need to be trained and well-informed . — The Health