Malaysia: List Out Medicines Without Halal Certification

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) — The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) today called on relevant authorities to list out medicines that do not have halal certification issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

Its communication director, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, said the move was vital to prevent Muslim consumers from purchasing non-halal medicines.

“Although there are no specific law concerning the matter, the relevant authorities and the media still have to play their roles in disseminating information about medicines that contain non-halal ingredients.”

He said this to reporters after attending a roundtable conference on Halal Phamaceutical Products: Issues and Challenges at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia here Tuesday.

Mohd Yusof said existing guidelines on halal products, especially those issued by Jakim, and the halal standard MS2424, were insufficient to overcome the heaping problems of non-halal medicines in the country.

Hence, he also proposed that a special law concerning halal products be drafted soon.

“Right now, there is no law to compel all products sold to Muslim consumers to be halal certified. So, as long as we don’t have such a law, we will continue to face halal dilemma, especially involving pharmaceutical products,” he explained.

In his presentation during the conference earlier, Mohd Yusof said efforts to produce more halal medicines also depended in the roles played by the consumers.

“When consumers request for halal medicines, the manufacturers, whether they like it or not, will have to apply for halal certification if they are to market their products to Muslims,” he said.

— BERNAMA