Demand For Halal Pharmaceuticals Growing Globally

There should be no doubt now that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the way people think about their health. To combat this and many other diseases, the demand for Halal pharmaceuticals has been growing especially since the beginning of 2020.

Halal is an Arabic word that means lawful. Actions and things permitted by Quran and Sharia law are called Halal. Actions and things that are considered unlawful are called haram. Pharmaceuticals that are made using ingredients that are considered lawful in the Quran are known as Halal pharmaceuticals.

What Are Halal Pharmaceuticals?

Halal pharmaceuticals do not contain ingredients extracted from non-Halal animals or not slaughtered according to sharia law. They are made with ingredients that are non-toxic, non-poisonous, and non-hazardous to human health. Halal pharmaceuticals are also manufactured, processed, and prepared without any contaminated equipment, and are safe for consumption by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Conditions To Be Met In Halal Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

According to Malaysian standards, Halal is defined as, ‘things or actions granted by Sharia law without punishment imposed on the doer’. Halal pharmaceuticals do not contain any derivative of pork or pork in any form. They also include all aspects of hygiene and cleanliness as they maintain hygiene related to all the aspects such as personnel, equipment, dress, and premises.

• Halal pharmaceuticals should not contain any parts or products of non-Halal animals or any parts or products of animals that are not slaughtered according to Shariah law
• they do not contain any najs or impure parts or products
• They are safe for consumption, non-poisonous, non-intoxicating, or non-hazardous to health according to the prescribed dosage
• They are not prepared, processed, or manufactured using equipment contaminated with any form of najs
• They do not contain any human parts or derivatives that are not permitted by Shariah

Halal pharmaceuticals are manufactured according to certification laws set by halal certification systems. Halal Certification systems started in Malaysia in the 1980s and currently, more than 400 Halal-certified organizations are active in the Halal pharmaceuticals industry

There is an increasing demand for Halal pharmaceuticals, owing to a growing number of individuals following Islam worldwide. In addition, non-Muslims are also using Halal pharmaceuticals as they are safe and hygienic. Moreover, the demand for halal pharmaceuticals has exponentially increased due to COVID-19 as well.

Rising awareness regarding the availability of various types of Halal pharmaceuticals among Muslims is also expected to increase its demand soon. Government initiatives for certification based on ingredients used in pharmaceutical products are also supporting the growth of the Halal pharmaceutical industry globally.

However, a lack of awareness regarding the availability of Halal products especially in developing countries could affect their demand. In addition, stringent regulations regarding Halal pharmaceuticals, coupled with high accountability, starting from the acquisition of material to packaging can also affect the growth of Halal pharmaceuticals. Nonetheless, rising awareness of Halal pharmaceuticals initiated by pharmaceutical companies has also contributed to the growth of the industry.

Major Markets For Halal Pharmaceuticals

By region, the global Halal Pharmaceuticals market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. The increasing demand for Halal pharmaceuticals in the Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific region is attributed to the increase in the Muslim population in these regions.  The high-demand countries for halal pharmaceuticals are  Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, and Morocco.

The market in the Asia Pacific is expected to increase the adoption of Halal cosmetics among individuals in the coming years. Countries in Europe and North America are also expected to support the growth of Halal pharmaceuticals soon. Increasing investment in Halal products in Europe is also expected to increase its development and production in this region.

By type, the Halal pharmaceuticals market is categorized into tablets, syrups, and capsules. By application, the halal pharmaceuticals market is categorized into healthcare products and drugs.

Major Halal Pharmaceutical Industry Players

Key players in the global Halal Pharmaceuticals market include CCM Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaniaga, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals, Simpor Pharma, Bosch Pharmaceuticals, and NOOR VITAMINS.