NOVEMBER, 2019 | The HEALTH
HALAL HEALTH
HALAL
HEALTHCARE:
According to Hakimah,
halal certifi cation
for pharmaceuticals
provides Muslim
users with choices in
medicines.
Why we have halal meds
Halal certifi cation has gone beyond food. JAKIM tells about the need and
advantages of halal for various products, particularly pharmaceuticals
seen as permissible because of its necessity.
non-halal can become permissible in dire
emergencies or when it is proven to prevent
dire circumstances. Th e concept is known
best as ‘darurat’.”
Th erefore the question prevails -- why
the need to have pharmaceuticals be
halal-certifi ed?
“With the advances in technology, we now
have the tools to see whether the things we
consume contain non-halal ingredients or
not - including in medicines. Th us, it creates
a responsibility for us to identify the ones
that are truly halal and provide Muslims with
choices.”
The side eff ect
Providing the public with options for
medicines is indeed well and good, especially
when it comes to over-the-counter drugs and
supplements. However, it may also present
itself a problem if a patient would deny treat-
ment because the medicine is not certifi ed
halal.
to this, Hakimah comments: “it goes back
to the understanding of ‘darurat’. Muslims
in Malaysia should understand that even if
we know for a fact that the medicine contain
non-halal ingredients, it is still permissible
for us to consume if it is the only thing that
can save them from further ailments or
death.
“However, should there be an alternative
or other choices in halal medicines, the
‘darurat’ no longer applies. Th erefore halal
certifi cation works as a way to strengthen
our choices, not to dictate.”
Strengthening the cause
JaKiM has been in the forefront in educating
and informing the public about halal pharma-
ceuticals. Th e organisation has been playing
an active role by organising road tours on halal
pharmaceuticals towards the industry and
relevant stakeholders.
“We always try to disperse the latest
information regarding halal pharmaceuticals
in conferences and exhibitions. We want to
help healthcare providers, industry players,
and consumers understand better the need
and advantages of having halal-certified
pharmaceuticals.”
T
He concept of halal is essentially
any substance or sustenance
deemed permissible to be used or
consumed by Muslims, adhering
to shariah law. Because of how
particular halal can be, it comes as
no surprise that it doesn’t apply to only food
products.
Cosmetics, fashion, fi nancial services,
even tourism can now be certifi ed as permis-
sible for Muslims. However, one particular
sector of the trade has seen tremendous
prospect in being certifi ed halal -- the phar-
maceutical industry.
Why halal pharmaceuticals?
Th e Health speaks with the Department of
islamic Development (JaKiM) about how the
organisation plays a role in supporting halal
pharmaceuticals in Malaysia, and how it may
elevate the overall economy if done right.
“the country started its initiative to
develop halal certifi cation back in the 70s,
during which time halal certifi cation only
encompassed meat items. since then, we
have added more to our halal certifi cation
schemes, knowing that halal applies to more
than meat - and food for that matter,” says
Hakimah yusoff , Deputy Director-general
07
(Policy) of JaKiM.
However, when it comes to halal pharma-
ceuticals, a certain confusion may arise.
“in islam, there is a law stating a par-
ticular medicine will absolutely need to be
administered if it prevents death, further
ailment, and if it fends off diseases - even
if the medicine itself contains non-halal
substances.
“Th erefore pharmaceuticals are usually
Vaccines are one of the
few pharmaceutical
products diffi cult
to receive halal
certifi cation, however
the dire circumstances
it prevents trumps
the need for it to be
certifi ed-halal in the
fi rst place.
A global opportunity
in 2012, the Malaysian standard for halal
pharmaceuticals (Ms2424 2012) were suc-
cessfully developed by the Department of
standards Malaysia with the help of many,
including JaKiM. Malaysia is the fi rst to ever
set a standard of quality for pharmaceuticals
adhering to islamic law, which presents an
opportunity unlike any other.
“We can see that the interest in halal
pharmaceuticals is growing rapidly over
the recent years. JaKiM is currently work-
ing with various halal accreditation boards
from various countries to develop their own
standards. Th ey look upon us as reference,
which strengthens our role in becoming a
leader in halal pharmaceutical standard.”
— Th e Health