MARCH-APRIL , 2022 | THE HEALTH
17
Moving into halal eco-pharmaceuticals
Jardin Pharma wants to bring halal novel and innovative natural and organic-based products into the market
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
JARDIN PHARMA BERHAD ( Jardin Pharma ) aspires to be Malaysia ’ s leading and most trusted halal eco-pharmaceutical brand and wants to become the country ’ s first 100 per cent natural eco-based pharmaceutical company .
Dr Maryam Aziz , the Co-Founder of Jardin Pharma , said : “ Most pharmaceutical products available in Malaysia are generic products . We , however , want to bring halal novel and innovative natural and organic-based products into the market .”
Jardin Pharma also focuses on cosmeceutical , personal care , food supplement , and nutraceutical products while maintaining its halal status , effectiveness , and safety and being environment-conscious conscious .
“ As a relatively new company , we started with the most straightforward product categories , such as nutraceuticals , food supplements , and cosmeceuticals such as filler products ,” said the medical doctor .
“ We ’ re now concentrating on incorporating pharmaceutical products soon , which we expect to generate revenue in the future .
“ Hopefully , one day , we will reach the stage where we can produce halal vaccines and injectables .”
Manufacturing , regulations and compliance
According to Dr Maryam , it is harder to register and obtain pharmaceutical certification from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency ( NPRA ) than a halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ), with whom they work closely .
“ The halal registration and compliance are not particularly arduous when you have experience in the industry .”
Dr Maryam is the founder of Mary Jardin and has been growing the brand for the past five years . She has her Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP ) Cosmetic Manufacturing Plant in Alor Setar , Kedah .
Her knowledge of product registration , regulations , and compliance stems from her experience managing the Mary Jardin brand , the cosmetics factory , and contract manufacturing for other companies .
Aside from herself , Jardin Pharma ’ s management team includes advisors with experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries , halal medicines and regulatory pharmacy , and business marketing .
While obtaining the halal certification from JAKIM is straightforward , contract manufacturing with other companies usually prolongs the process .
Currently , Jardin Pharma products are manufactured by a few trusted GMP factories in Malaysia . Hence , Jardin Pharma is now focusing on establishing manufacturing plants for all product categories .
“ We own a cosmetics factory and are in the process of purchasing a pharmaceutical factory . In addition , we are currently constructing our food factory and intend to start a botanical extraction plant and facility .
“ We are also focusing on manufacturing raw materials . And as such , we recently launched our probiotic centre to produce our probiotics .”
Jardin Pharma ’ s facilities include ; GMP Certified Cosmetics Factory , GMP Certified Pharma Factory , Jardin Probiotic Research Centre , Jardin Liposomal Research Centre ( in progress ) and Warehouse & Distribution Centre .
Mary Jardin cosmetics , natural baby care products , and a range of sensitive skin products for eczema patients are among the Jardin Pharma products available on the market . Dr Maryam revealed that a range of multivitamin gummies supplements for children would be released soon .
The products will also be available on Herbitus . com , Jardin Pharma ’ s online platform , which was launched in December 2021 and has since attracted a membership of 10,000 people . Herbitus . com will soon be developed to include a telemedicine feature .
“ We plan to get general practitioners , private clinics and retail pharmacies on board . Consumers or patients could obtain an online prescription from a registered doctor or pharmacist , depending on the product classification requirements .
“ They can simply order the prescribed supplements on the same platform , and they could choose to pick them up or have them delivered .”
Awareness through Edu-marketing
According to Dr Maryam , Malaysians generally have a low level of medication literacy .
“ Most people aren ’ t familiar with pharmaceuticals or the drugs . We try to raise awareness about medication information , types , and ingredients as part of our Edu-marketing .”
While it may be lower than in the Middle East or Europe , she noted that Muslims have always been concerned
Dr Maryam Aziz
about the halal status of drugs and medicines prescribed .
And when it comes to the products ’ organic , natural or sustainability aspect , consumers are more concerned about the final products than the manufacturing process , she explained .
“ We only manufacture natural products , which mean we source and use only organic and natural raw materials , which are also biodegradable . So , in our product Edu-marketing , we also highlight the use and benefits of natural and organic ingredients .
“ As for the packaging , we are still not there yet . We haven ’ t switched to environmentally friendly packaging yet , as we are still using plastics .
“ We have to start somewhere , but eventually , we plan to get there . We are working towards becoming a 100 per cent eco-friendly and sustainable pharmaceutical company .”
Research & Development
Research and Development ( R & D ), said Dr Maryam , is one of the significant focuses of Jardin Pharma , as it produces novel halal eco pharmaceutical products and serves as a competitive point to differentiate Jardin Pharma from other companies .
“ In Malaysia , R & D activity is limited because it necessitates significant funding . At Jardin Pharma , R & D activity is carried out in our laboratories or through affiliate programmes with public universities where we collaborate with local universities to conduct pharmaceutical niche research .
“ They provide us with innovative or novel products , and we focus on registering , manufacturing , and commercialising them .
“ We take pride in combining nature and science to develop cutting-edge pharmaceutical products , and our goal is to be the most trusted and leading halal eco-pharmaceutical brand .” — The Health