Exploring the halal status of cardiovascular, endocrine, and respiratory group of medications

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Islamic Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• Muslim consumers require medications aligned with Islamic dietary laws (Halal).
• There's a growing demand for Halal-certified pharmaceuticals globally.
• Understanding the Halal status of medications is crucial for patient compliance and healthcare provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the Halal status of selected cardiovascular, endocrine, and respiratory medications.
• To identify the proportion of Halal, Mushbooh (questionable), and Haram (impermissible) medications.
• To pinpoint common ingredients that pose Halal concerns.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, exploratory study design was employed.
• Medications available in a Malaysian governmental hospital pharmacy were selected.
• Halal status was assessed by examining the sources of active ingredients and excipients using product leaflets, MIMS, and manufacturer data.

Main Results:

• 19.1% of products were Halal, 57.1% Mushbooh, and 23.8% Haram.
• Haram active ingredients were found in 5.3% of cardiovascular/endocrine and 1.1% of respiratory medications.
• Haram excipients were present in 1.7% of cardiovascular/endocrine and 4.8% of respiratory medications.
• Ethanol and magnesium stearate were frequently identified as Mushbooh or Haram substances.

Conclusions:

• A significant percentage of commonly used medications in the study possess questionable or impermissible Halal status.
• The presence of Haram or Mushbooh ingredients, particularly excipients like ethanol and magnesium stearate, requires attention.
• Further research and Halal certification initiatives are needed to meet the needs of Muslim patients.