OctOber, 2019 | The HealTH
HealtH Business
09
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OULD you give us an overview
on the state of halal pharma-
ceuticals and cosmetics in
Malaysia? What is the public
perception towards it, and
how much of an advantage is
it to have halal-certifi ed pharmaceuticals
and cosmetics?
As an overview on the state of halal pharma-
ceuticals and cosmetics in Malaysia in terms
of statements from professional bodies,
the Ministry and Industry is cautiously
welcoming and looking forward to further
developments, especially related to the devel-
opment and application of halal standards.
Ultimately the consumer or patient will
decide on the type of products off ered to
them that is compatible to their religious
and health needs. Th e more they are provided
information on halal medicines, the better
is their confi dence in making a decision. Th e
easy access to social media and the internet
have paved the way to the type of perception a
particular product is projected and compared
to generic or similar products.
We know that there has been a Malaysian
Standard for halal pharmaceuticals, the
MS2424:2012. How involved were you in
the development of the standard, and
what is the current development in terms
of updating the standard?
Th e world fi rst halal pharmaceutical standard
the Malaysian MS 2424:2012 Halal Pharma-
ceutical Guidelines was launched in 2012
and was well received. Being the chairman,
it took the committee more than two years
to formulate the document, having the vital
input from the Malaysian regulatory body
recommending the internationally recognised
PICS (Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperative
Scheme) format suited for pharmaceutical
products.
Halal elements were embedded into the
document and a revision was established
recently and renamed MS2424:2019 Halal
Pharmaceutical Requirements, with further
improvements and addition of halal vaccine
standard. We anticipate further additions
to include pharmaceutical intoxicants and
biopharmaceuticals to cater and prepare to
the need and demand of relevant standards.
From the extent of my knowledge,
Malaysia is the fi rst to set a standard and
have pharmaceuticals and cosmetics be
halal-certifi ed. In your opinion, how far
along is Malaysia in terms of leading the
global halal industry specifi cally in halal
pharmaceuticals?
Recently we [the Malaysian Halal Standard
committee] were tasked to establish and
lead the TC (Technical Committee) on Halal
Pharmaceutical in Istanbul, Turkey. Th is com-
mittee is incorporated under the SMIIC/OIC
(Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic
Countries under the auspices of the Organisa-
tion of Islamic Countries). It is an honour and
recognition for Malaysian Standards and this
opens the way for Malaysia to lead the global
halal industry for pharmaceuticals.
The state of halal
pharma in Malaysia
Prof Dr Zhari Ismail tells the strength of establishing halal standard and guideline
for our medication.
Do you think that because of the halal
certifi cation, the Muslim public would
be more cautious and doubtful of phar-
maceuticals that are not halal-certifi ed?
A positive attitude is that we should not take
things lightly in matters related to our health
& consumer needs. Th is attitude of learning
and sharing approach towards medicine
taking and shared responsibility with the
health professionals is the future in health-
care. In the United Kingdom since 2002, the
concept of concordance-or shared decision
making was promoted to help patients to
get the most from their medicines that was
established under the Medicines Partnership
Programme.
And as an extension to that ques-
tion: What would be your opinion on
medications that actually have non-halal
ingredients to be consumed by Muslims,
if it is the only one that can treat a par-
ticular disease?
Under this category of medicines, the
Ministry of Health have specifi c guidelines
on medicine taking of non-halal ingredients
and this is widely available for use by all
concerned.
Dr Zhari was the
chairman for
the committee
that formulated
the Ms2424, the
standard for halal
pharmaceuticals.
In five to 10 year’s time, do you see
MS2424 to be the medium that can propel
Malaysia into becoming the global leader
in halal pharmaceuticals?
Malaysia’s eff orts have been recognised and
now being entrusted the important task in
chairing the TC on Halal Pharmaceutical
Issues within SMIIC/OIC. Th e MS2424:2019
is not a standalone documents, but must
be supported by reference documents like
pharmacopoeia and formularies that are
shariah compliant. Th e agenda is long and
sincere continuous effort have to be in
place especially in engaging the multina-
tional players to facilitate and activate their
role to the needs of the Ummah. — The
Health