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THE HEALTH | SEPTEMBER , 2022
| Halal Health |
Steadfast in its determination
Duopharma Biotech leads the way to maintain its position as the leading halal and sustainable pharmaceutical company in the country
BY KHIRTINI K . KUMARAN
THE WORLD and domestic halal market for pharmaceuticals offers immense opportunities . The State of Global Islamic Economy Report 2020 / 2021 stated that Muslim consumer spending on pharmaceuticals is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 2.3 per cent from 2019 to reach US $ 105 billion by 2024 .
Halal pharmaceuticals have also been identified as one of the promoted sectors by the Malaysian government to drive growth in the Malaysian Halal Economy in its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 ( HIMP 2030 ).
The country ’ s largest pharmaceutical company Duopharma Biotech Berhad , which is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia , is well-positioned to leverage this growth . It has a longstanding commitment to producing halal pharmaceutical products that are safe , effective , of high quality and hygienic .
In fact , Duopharma Biotech is the first halal pharmaceutical manufacturer in the world . It played a pioneering role in the research and development ( R & D ) and production of halal pharmaceuticals and is firmly anchored in its position as a market leader .
Halal commitment
The company ’ s halal commitment starts with good governance from the Top Management and Halal Committee at the board level throughout the company until the produced product reaches the consumers and patients .
Its dynamic board is led by healthcare industry leaders and Chairman Tan Sri Siti Sa ’ diah Sh Bakir and Group Managing Director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar . Its senior management team is led by Chief Operating Officer , Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid .
The company ’ s halal commitment is part of its fardh kifayah , a communal obligation that must be discharged for the community to prosper . The company upholds its commitment to producing halal pharmaceutical products that are :
From Left to Right : Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar , Group Managing Director of Duopharma Biotech Berhad , Shamsul Idham Ahad , Chief Executive Officer of Duopharma Consumer Healthcare , Sasikanth Chemalamudi , Co- Founder and COO of The Live Green Co and Kenneth Chan , Advisor of The Live Green Co at the signing ceremony between Duopharma Biotech and The Live Green Co .
Sustainability in operations and business
• Safe for consumption and use ;
• Assured of effectiveness ;
• High-quality standards of ingredients or materials and production ; and
• Manufactured hygienically . Therefore , the company ’ s halal policy embraces the principle of a holistic approach with “ Halal Built-In , Not Tested For ” practice .
It is a comprehensive method to ensure manufacturing facilities are fully halal compliant . Every step of the way , which includes selecting products , technology , raw materials , packaging , logistics , and warehousing to the consumers , adheres to the Malaysian Standard MS 2424 Halal pharmaceuticals - General requirements
AS HALAL is a philosophy value of integrity and sustainability , Duopharma Biotech Bhd ’ s halal policy is not limited to just product manufacturing . It extends to instilling sustainability values across the business operations with the company ’ s Environmental , Social and Governance ( ESG ) strategies .
Duopharma Biotech officially commenced its ESG journey in 2016 and has aligned its environmental pledges within its ESG Roadmap with the government ’ s environmental targets and the United Nations
( First revision ).
Its commitment to developing products that are assured halal from start to finish eliminates any need for testing as the process of determining halal is built in .
Duopharma Biotech ’ s halal journey
Beginning in 1998 , Duopharma Biotech integrated Halal with its Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP ) requirement , and all production lines were dedicated to producing halal pharmaceuticals .
A year later , Duopharma Biotech became the first pharmaceutical company to receive the Halal Malaysia Certification from the Department of Islamic
Sustainable Goals .
The company has established structures and systems to create a high level of awareness among all personnel and to closely align its business strategies with its ESG strategies and goals .
It ’ s board of directors leads sustainability initiatives , guided by the Risk Management and Sustainability Committee . The Sustainability Department is led by health and safety experts and a sustainability specialist who reports to the Chief Manufacturing Officer .