jan/Feb, 2020 | The Health
halal Health
The Malaysian standard
in halal pharma
Malaysia is the pioneer for halal standards in pharmaceuticals as
it recognises the global potential among Muslim and non-Muslims
I
t started off from a particular pharma-
ceutical manufacturer who wanted to
differentiate themselves in the market
by certifying their health supplement
products halal by adhering to the
Malaysian Standards for halal food.
After gaining traction by having the JAKIM’s
halal logo on their product, the pharmaceutical
industry in Malaysia saw an opportunity in
halal pharmaceuticals as a whole.
A Malaysian Standards for halal pharma-
ceuticals (dubbed the MS 2424) came into
fruition as a result in 2012.
The Health had the chance to speak to
the Department of Standards Malaysia (also
known just as Standards Malaysia) about their
role in developing the MS 2424 With the new
placement under the
Ministry of International
Trade and Industry
(MITI), Standards
Malaysia will further
strengthen its role in
enhancing efforts to
lead halal areas in line
with global economic
development.” – Shaharul
Providing the option
for the people
The first question that would pop in our heads
is this: Why do we need to have pharmaceuti-
cal products, especially over-the-counter
drugs, be certified-halal?
The answer is the same as it was around 20
years ago when the pharmaceutical company
first certified their products to be halal: It provides an added value to the product,
particularly to Muslim consumers.
Shaharul Sadri Alwi, Director of Standardi-
sation from Standards Malaysia explains:
“MS 2424 is used by the Department of
Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) as a
Certification Body to certify the companies
Shaharul tells how
the MS 2424 Halal
Pharmaceuticals –
General Requirements
can strengthen
Malaysia as the leader
in the global halal
market, particularly in
halal pharmaceuticals.
07
under halal pharmaceuticals scheme. This
means that pharmaceutical manufacturers
who wants to certify their products as halal
will have to adhere to the standards before
JAKIM certifies them.”
The evolution towards
better halal healthcare
As mandated by Standards Malaysia’s
policy, all Malaysian Standards (MS) must
be reviewed every five years. The Standard
Committee (SDC) will decide whether the
MS should be amended, confirmed, revised
or withdrawn.
As mentioned previously, the MS 2424 Halal
Pharmaceuticals was developed and made offi-
cial in 2012, therefore there has been updates
to its content to better fit into current needs.
“The revision of MS 2424: 2012 Halal
Pharmaceuticals – General guidelines started
in 2017 and on June 10 2019, the Minister for
the Ministry of International Trade Industries
(MITI) approved this revision as MS 2424:
2019, Halal Pharmaceuticals – General
requirements,” says Shaharul.
A differentiator to the market
Does having a Malaysian Standard for halal
pharmaceuticals means every pharmaceutical
manufacturers must adhere to it?
Shaharul says no, it is actually a voluntary
business decision.
“The use of MS 2424 Halal Pharmaceuticals
by the industry is voluntary. A halal certifica-
tion is an indicator that the product is of high
quality and safety. Therefore it gives compa-
nies tremendous added value in ensuring the
quality of services or products produced.”
He expanded by saying that the halal cer-
tification provides consumers with greater
option and purchasing power. “Moreover, the
standard provides a competitive advantage
to the national and global halal agenda for
Malaysia as a whole,” adds Shaharul.
Leading the global halal agenda
Malaysia is a pioneer country that recognises
the potential of the global halal market and
plays an important role in the development
of the industry as a potential growth engine
for the economy.
The Malaysian government leads various
halal initiatives through strategic inter-agency
cooperation between the Department of
Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the
Halal Industry Development Corporation
(HDC) Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (MATRADE), higher education
institutions, industry including industry.
The global Halal industry is expected to
reach a market value of USD 9.71 trillion by
2025. Halal pharmaceutical and halal cosmet-
ics together accounted for nearly 4 per cent of
the overall market share in 2017.
“With the new placement under the
Ministry of International Trade and Indus-
try (MITI), Standards Malaysia will further
strengthen its role in enhancing efforts to
lead halal areas in line with global economic
development.” — The Health