The global pharmaceutical market stood at US$607 billion in 2006 and Frost & Sullivan estimates this market to reach US$818 billion by 2013 while PricewaterhouseCoopers forecast it to be US$1.3 trillion by 2020. Currently, there are about 1.6 billion Muslims, representing more than 20% of the world’s population. With the increasing awareness of the Halal concept, there will be a tremendous growth in the demand for Halal products, including Halal pharmaceutical products.
Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM), the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Malaysia has always been at the forefront of the local Halal pharmaceutical industry and has been actively building strong market presence in over 20 countries worldwide. CCM also has further enhanced its regional development efforts through its existing network of offices in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.
CCM recognises the full potential of the global Halal industry, realising that the Halal concept has grown from being primarily focused on the food and beverage segment to areas like pharmaceuticals and herbal products, cosmetics, health care and financial and investment products and services.
Participating at the World Halal Forum 2008, CCM hopes to gain an insight into the current trends and challenges that exist in the lucrative Halal market. This offers CCM the perfect platform to explore opportunities for potential growth through interaction and discussions with overseas participants and investors, in line with the forum’s theme of ‘Sustained Development through Investment and Integration’.
CCM Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim Tajudin said that CCM was poised to capture and rapidly grow its share of the fast growing Halal market through its wide range of products and services.
“People these days, including non-Muslims are more conscious about what they consume and are becoming more concerned about ingredients used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
“We obtained the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)’s internationally recognised Halal certification for our health supplement range in 1999. This gives consumers a greater assurance of our products as we comply to strict requirements in our manufacturing and servicing chain from processing to handling, packaging, labelling, distribution, storage and display of the products. Proper management of basic aspects like hygiene, sanitation and food safety is on top of our priority list,” said Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim.
Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim also added that CCM is committed to advancing the Halal industry by leveraging its research and manufacturing capabilities through its wholly-owned R&D company, Innovax Sdn Bhd.
“Medicines and health supplements are constantly in demand, regardless of the prevailing economic climate. Our wide range of health supplements are affordable and enables consumers to take preventive measures in protecting their health, as falling ill can be costly.
“We believe in the importance of investing in R&D to develop more products that comply with certification standards and cater to the consumer needs for quality Halal products to maintain their overall well-being.
“In the long run, we hope to assist in expanding the benefits of the Halal concept beyond health supplements towards eventually developing standards for the Halal pharmaceutical industry to the benefit of Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” added Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim.
“Our participation in the World Halal Forum enables us to meet market leaders and experts to address issues and concerns as well as discuss initiatives to further develop this industry. We are also keen to help foreign investors who are looking towards Malaysia to seek knowledge, expertise and services like the Halal certification to gain access to the profitable Halal market.
“We are confident that our continuous efforts and commitment will give us the competitive edge to strengthen our presence in the Halal market, which will eventually open trade and investment opportunities for us and the chance to increase our export revenue. The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MARTRADE) has projected that the country’s pharmaceutical exports will exceed the RM678 million achieved last year. I am confident that we will play a significant role in contributing to higher export statistics,” said Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim.
One of CCM’s initiatives to grow in the Halal industry, locally and internationally includes the establishment of a Halal Council at Group level and Halal Committees throughout its subsidiaries to enhance its product exports to the global Islamic community. It provides continuous training programmes for employees and organises regular meetings with relevant bodies such as the Ministry of Health, JAKIM and the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).
CCM also participated in the recent Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) which offers an excellent platform to showcase the Group’s extensive range of Halal certified pharmaceutical products, the opportunity to inform and educate consumers on the availability of Halal pharmaceutical products as well as to promote the benefits of consuming Halal certified health supplements.
Besides receiving JAKIM’s Halal certification, CCM Pharmaceuticals Division also has the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s (MOH) certification as a manufacturer meeting the GMP guidelines of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Cooperation Scheme (“PIC/S”) and the requirements of World Health Organisation (WHO). PIC/S is widely recognized in Europe.
CCM was also awarded the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) certification from Australia’s Ministry of Health which recognises quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. The TGA certification affirms CCM’s compliance to strict requirements of the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) which allows its medicinal products to be sold in Australia and enables consumers to access to its latest products.
CCM’s Pharmaceuticals Division produces over 280 products and is Malaysia’s leading over-the-counter (OTC) product manufacturer with well known brands which have been certified Halal such as CHAMPS, Proviton, Flavettes, Naturalle, Uphamol, Lipasu and Natberry.
CCM also emphasises the significance of its Halal certification beyond its Pharmaceuticals Division. In 2004, CCM’s Chemicals Division was awarded the Halal certification by JAKIM for all products manufactured at its Pasir Gudang facility such as liquid chlorine, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, polyaluminium chloride and ferric chloride. These products are supplied to various industries like water treatment, food and beverages, additives, edible oil, oleochemical and textiles within and outside Malaysia. They are used either as primary raw material or as a process additives which consequently have a direct effect on final product quality.
The Government has initiated in establishing Malaysia as a global Halal hub. With a bright future ahead, CCM is looking forward to capitalize on the opportunity and develop high quality Halal products to meet and exceed its customers’ expectations.
CCM is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM1 billion and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry.
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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
By Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at Tel no: 21617144 or email: ifazila@epapr.com.my |
