Indonesian Pharmacists Prepare for the 2026 Pharmaceutical Halal Mandate

The Halal certification obligation for pharmaceutical (drug) products is being implemented in phases. The phased rollout begins with traditional medicines (jamu / herbal) and dietary supplements (including products of genetic engineering) in 2026 . Next, the mandatory Halal certification requirement for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs takes effect in 2029 . Finally, 2034 marks the last phase of the pharmaceutical Halal certification obligation, covering the prescription/potent drug category ( excluding psychotropic and narcotic drugs ). The scope of the Halal certification obligation also includes drug-related services such as contract/toll manufacturing (maklon) , logistics and retail (sales) . This was set out by Dr. Ir. Muslich, M.Si., Director of Halal Audit Cooperation and Services at LPPOM MUI, in his opening address to a national seminar titled 'The Role of Pharmacists in Preparing for the 2026 Pharmaceutical Halal Mandate'. The event, held on the UHAMKA campus, was co-organised by the East Jakarta branch (PC) of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI), the UHAMKA Faculty of Pharmacy and Science, and the LPPOM MUI Halal inspection body. The Chair of the East Jakarta IAI branch, Dr. apt. Supandi, M.Si., said in his remarks: 'Although it may seem there is still plenty of time, preparation must begin early for the industry to implement it. The sooner we start, the more thorough and mature the preparation will be.' The Chair of the Jakarta Special Region (DKI Jakarta) IAI branch, apt. Drs. Muhamad Yamin, M.Farm., also noted that pharmacists play an important role in raising professional knowledge and in supporting and safeguarding the development of Halal products in Indonesia. The Dean of the UHAMKA Faculty of Pharmacy and Science, Dr. apt. Hadi Sunaryo, M.Si., further stressed that key preparation for the Halal mandate must be carried out through the involvement of competent pharmacists. 'In the era of the Halal Product Assurance system, pharmacists must be able to play a part in determining Halal products and drugs (Halal assurance),' Hadi said. To train competent pharmacists, UHAMKA has launched a Master's (S-2) programme in pharmacy with a Halal Pharmacy (Halal Farmasi) track, now in its second cohort. 'Everyone must prepare for the implementation of the 2026 pharmaceutical Halal obligation. It may seem far off, but we must start preparing now,' Hadi emphasised - words that served to encourage and mobilise the seminar's participants, who were made up of pharmacists and pharmacists-to-be. apt. Ivan Santosa, M.Farm., from the Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma, explained that pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry will inevitably be designated as Halal supervisors (penyelia halal) . The Halal supervisor is a person appointed by and accountable to the company, responsible for Halal assurance across the pharmaceutical process from the production front end through to distribution, in order to ensure Halal status. Ivan explained: 'In the 2000s it was very difficult to find Halal excipients. There was once a case where, based on the production flow chart, it could be confirmed that an ingredient came from a porcine extract. Must such situations still happen even now?' He also shared several 'non-Halal' cases, noting that such problems can in fact be prevented by a competent Halal supervisor. Dr. Priyo Wahyudi, M.Si., an LPPOM MUI Halal auditor and also a UHAMKA pharmacy lecturer, added that laboratory testing of drugs is the scientific verification of whether the ingredients used are clean and whether there is any possibility of contamination. 'Laboratory test results are only supporting documents submitted to the Fatwa Commission (Komisi Fatwa); they are not the sole factor determining whether a product is Halal,' he explained. To fill the gap in the rules on laboratory testing within the Halal certification process, the current basis used is MUI Decision No. 80 of 2022 (Surat Keputusan MUI No. 80 Tahun 2022) , which sets out which ingredients/products require laboratory testing. Priyo noted that laboratory testing can provide quality assurance, enhance brand value, strengthen customer trust, and help identify and avoid the risk of improper adulteration or mislabelling (through surveillance monitoring). LPPOM MUI also advances this work through the LPPOM MUI laboratory . The laboratory is one of the pioneers in the field of Halal testing, and was also the first laboratory to perform vegan-claim verification for Indonesia's drug and food regulator BPOM. The LPPOM MUI laboratory also tests for ethylene glycol / diethylene glycol , which can cause kidney failure in children, helping to ensure the safety of food, beverages and drugs in circulation. The event drew more than 200 participants from industry, pharmacy managers, civil servants and pharmacy students. Attendees asked active questions covering the role of pharmacists in the Halal ecosystem, the relevant regulations, and the technical details of Halal testing.