JAKARTA – The halal pharmaceutical sector represents a critical intersection of religious compliance, public health, and global trade. Roziatul Akmam Osman, a distinguished halal industry strategist and honorary strategic advisor to the Malaysia International Halal Research and Education Conference 2025 (MIHREC 2025), offers valuable insights into the evolution and challenges of this essential industry.

An Unconventional Career Path

Osman’s transition from accountancy to halal pharmaceutical advocacy began unexpectedly during her tenure at the Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM). While serving as an accountant, she participated in promoting the company’s halal-certified vitamins at a shareholder meeting. This involvement caught the attention of the company’s chairman, who subsequently assigned her to raise awareness about halal medicines as a business manager for CCM Pharmaceuticals.

What began as an entry into marketing evolved into something far more significant—a personal religious duty (Fardhu ‘Ain) and communal obligation (Fardhu Kifayah). This transformation marked the beginning of a pioneering journey in halal pharmaceutical development.

Early Industry Challenges

Internal and External Obstacles

The nascent stage of halal pharmaceutical development presented formidable challenges across multiple fronts. Internally, Osman faced the necessity of acquiring comprehensive pharmaceutical science knowledge from foundational principles. Externally, the challenges proved even more complex, requiring engagement with multiple stakeholders across different sectors.

Regulatory and Perception Barriers

A primary challenge involved convincing Malaysia’s Ministry of Health that halal certification represented more than symbolic religious compliance—it constituted a vital value-added component ensuring medicine quality, safety, and efficacy. This approach aligned with the Quranic principle of Halalan Toyyiban, which encompasses not only religious permissibility but also safety, effectiveness, superior quality, and hygienic production standards.

Additionally, shifting public perception presented significant difficulties. A widespread misconception existed that medicines categorically fell under dharurah (necessity), exempting them from halal requirements. However, this exemption applies exclusively to genuine, immediate life-saving situations where no halal alternative exists. Correcting this misunderstanding while establishing entirely new frameworks required persistent educational efforts.

Strategic Solutions and Collaboration

Building Collaborative Networks

Overcoming these obstacles required what Osman describes as shared Amanah (trust) and a “convergence of minds” philosophy. This approach led to establishing a dedicated team within CCM and forging essential collaborations with key stakeholders, including:

• JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia)
• Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM)
• Ministry of Health
• Halal Development Corporation (HDC)

Despite diverse perspectives among stakeholders, the shared commitment to advancing halal pharmaceutical standards prevailed. This collaborative spirit manifested in the principle of TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More.

Pioneering Educational Initiatives

The collaborative framework extended to innovative programs like the CEO@Faculty initiative, which embedded halal principles in innovation and tertiary education from inception. This proactive approach ensured that emerging pharmaceutical professionals understood halal compliance as integral to their field rather than as an afterthought.

Global Halal Trade Challenges

The Need for Harmonized Standards

Fragmented standards and international trade disputes continue presenting significant barriers to global halal commerce. These challenges underscore the critical importance of harmonized standards, such as those implemented by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

Case Studies in Trade Disputes

Indonesia’s WTO Challenge: Indonesia faced WTO dispute DS484, led by Brazil, which challenged the country’s import restrictions including halal certification requirements. This case highlighted tensions between national halal regulations and international trade frameworks.

Pakistan’s Certification Disputes: Pakistan similarly confronted challenges from the United States and European Union at the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee regarding labeling and certification requirements. These disputes emphasize the necessity for standards that satisfy both religious requirements and international trade regulations.

Malaysia’s Successful Approach

In contrast to these contentious cases, Malaysia’s proactive alignment of national halal standards with ISO rigor and WTO requirements has minimized trade tensions. This approach demonstrates that SMIIC’s recognition under the WTO TBT Code provides essential legitimacy for smoother global halal trade operations.

Scope of Malaysian and OIC/SMIIC Standards

Comprehensive Sector Coverage

Malaysian Standards (MS) for halal encompass diverse sectors including:

• Food products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Medical devices
• Logistics and supply chain
• Islamic consumer products

Expanding International Standards

OIC/SMIIC standards mirror Malaysia’s comprehensive approach while extending coverage even further. Ongoing developments address emerging sectors such as:

• Biopharmaceuticals and vaccines
• Nutraceuticals and related health products

These standards are deliberately designed to address specific sector requirements while maintaining grounding in shared halal principles. This dual focus ensures both broad relevance and effective trade facilitation while providing necessary protections.

MIHREC and Leadership Philosophy

Alignment with Educational Values

The Malaysia International Halal Research and Education Conference resonates deeply with Osman’s leadership philosophy. MIHREC’s emphasis on research and education aligns with her conviction that knowledge cultivates patience and fosters respect—qualities essential for informed decision-making and effective leadership.

Beyond a Conference

As honorary strategic advisor, Osman views MIHREC as transcending typical conference functions. It serves as a platform for shared Amanah, where Malaysia shares insights from its five-decade journey with the global Muslim community (ummah). This knowledge-sharing facilitates adaptation and adoption of best practices while building bridges for future generations through mutual respect.

Guidance for Industry Leaders

Core Principles for Success

Osman advises contemporary halal industry leaders to combine several essential elements:

Sincere Intention: Grounding work in genuine commitment to serving the community and upholding Islamic principles.

Ethical Governance: Implementing transparent, accountable management practices that build stakeholder trust.

Risk Management: Proactively identifying and addressing potential challenges before they escalate.

Strategic Leadership: Taking long-term perspectives that balance immediate needs with sustainable development.

Operational Philosophy

Embracing shared Amanah, mutual respect, and the “convergence of minds” approach enables leaders to embed “halal built-in” concepts as growth enablers rather than compliance burdens. This perspective sustains halal integrity while building market trust and commercial viability.

Recognition and Ongoing Contribution

Roziatul Akmam Osman’s contributions to the halal pharmaceutical industry earned recognition through the 2024 Halal Malaysia Industry Lifetime Achievement Award. She continues serving as MIHREC’s honorary strategic advisor through the end of 2025, maintaining her commitment to advancing global halal pharmaceutical standards.

Industry Consultation Initiative

The Halal Products Research Institute (IPPH) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) are currently conducting the Global Halal Industry Strategic Alignment Survey to inform the MIHREC 2025 Resolution Document. This consultation seeks input from policymakers, certifiers, industry participants, and academics to shape future direction for the global halal ecosystem.

Conclusion

The halal pharmaceutical industry has evolved from uncertain beginnings into a sophisticated sector characterized by rigorous standards, international collaboration, and growing global recognition. This evolution demonstrates that religious compliance and commercial excellence are not competing objectives but complementary goals that reinforce each other.

The journey from establishing basic halal awareness to developing comprehensive international standards illustrates the power of collaborative vision, persistent effort, and principled leadership. As the global halal market continues expanding, the frameworks, partnerships, and educational initiatives developed by pioneers like Roziatul Akmam Osman provide essential foundations for sustainable growth.

Success in this sector requires understanding that halal certification represents far more than regulatory compliance—it embodies a comprehensive commitment to quality, safety, and ethical practice that serves both religious obligations and public health imperatives. This holistic approach positions halal pharmaceuticals not as a niche market but as a model for ethical industry development applicable across diverse contexts and communities.

The ongoing challenges of harmonizing international standards, navigating trade regulations, and educating stakeholders demand continued collaboration and innovation. However, the progress achieved over recent decades demonstrates that these challenges can be effectively addressed through shared commitment, mutual respect, and the convergence of diverse perspectives toward common goals.

Original Article:

Salaam Gateway. (2025, October 20). Embedding integrity to embolden the future of halal pharmaceuticals. Retrieved from https://salaamgateway.com/story/embedding-integrity-to-embolden-the-future-of-halal-pharmaceuticals