(Source: American Halal Foundation)

From Accountant to Halal Advocate

Roziatul Akmam Osman’s journey into halal pharmaceuticals began unexpectedly. While working as an accountant at the Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM), she was involved in promoting halal-certified vitamins at a shareholder meeting. Her role expanded, and she eventually took on broader responsibilities in CCM’s pharmaceuticals division. This shift transformed into what she describes as both a personal duty (fardhu ‘Ain) and a communal obligation (fardhu Kifayah). 

Early Challenges: Science, Regulation, and Perception

When Roziatul first started, she had to build solid knowledge of pharmaceutical science from scratch. Externally, she encountered resistance in persuading Malaysia’s Ministry of Health that halal standards are not just about religion, but also about safety, efficacy, quality, and hygiene—in line with the Quranic concept of Halalan Toyyiban. 

One misconception she faced was that medicines are automatically exempt from halal requirements because of dharurah (necessity). She points out this exemption is strictly limited to situations where no halal alternative exists and the situation is life-threatening. 

Building Trust and Collaboration

To overcome these obstacles, Roziatul emphasized shared amanah (shared trust) and bringing together key stakeholders. She helped forge partnerships between CCM, Malaysia’s halal certification bodies (such as JAKIM), the Department of Standards Malaysia, the Health Ministry, and the Halal Development Corporation. Initiatives included embedding halal principles into innovation and education via programs like CEO@Faculty, which integrate halal values at university level. 

Aligning Standards for Global Trade

A major theme in the article is the need for harmonizing halal standards across borders. Fragmented standards can create trade barriers. Malaysia is cited as a model for aligning its halal standards with ISO practices and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules through SMIIC (Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries). This alignment has helped reduce trade tension and made halal pharmaceutical trade more seamless. 

Standards under Malaysia cover not just pharmaceuticals but also related sectors including medical devices, cosmetics, logistics, and Islamic consumer goods. The OIC/SMIIC is expanding its standards to include more advanced fields like biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and nutraceuticals. 

Leadership, Ethics, and the Path Forward

Roziatul emphasizes that embedding integrity in the industry requires more than technical compliance—it needs sincere intention (niyyah), ethical governance, risk management, and leadership. The philosophy of “convergence of minds” (bringing together diverse opinions under a shared purpose) is key to maintaining halal integrity and building trust in the market. 

She also highlights that education and research (via MIHREC 2025) are essential: ensuring future generations understand halal pharmaceuticals not just as a certification label but as a comprehensive commitment to quality and ethical practice. 

Original Article:

Salaam Gateway. (2025, September 22). Embedding integrity to embolden the future of halal pharmaceuticals. https://salaamgateway.com/story/embedding-integrity-to-embolden-the-future-of-halal-pharmaceuticals