ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN ESTABLISHING A HALAL PHARMACY FOR MUSLIM COMMUNITIES

The proposal to establish a halal pharmacy seeks to address critical challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in meeting the healthcare needs of Muslim communities. This initiative emphasizes the establishment of a dedicated pharmacy offering comprehensive services that strictly adhere to Islamic dietary and ethical guidelines, ensuring compliance with halal principles. Central to the concept of a halal pharmacy are Islamic principles such as Tayyib (purity and wholesomeness), the prohibition of any forbidden substances, and adherence to Shariah-compliant business practices. One of the main challenges is the implementation and recognition of the halal logo, which plays a pivotal role in assuring consumers of the halal status of pharmaceutical products. The halal logo, governed by regulatory bodies, serves as a crucial symbol for Muslim consumers to trust the integrity of the products they purchase. This concept paper adopts a qualitative approach to investigate the feasibility of establishing a halal pharmacy, focusing on the challenges of implementing halal logo. The study aims to highlight the challenges faced in the halal pharmacy sector by identifying gaps, examining stakeholder perspectives, and addressing issues related to halal certification, compliance, and ingredient sourcing. The findings are expected to provide actionable insights for developing effective strategies and policies, fostering the growth of halal pharmaceutical services to meet the demands of a growing global market.