"People take loans for medicines... and they discuss the topic of haram and halal"

Azerbaijan's  Health Minister Teymur Musayev announced to journalists today that a set of special rules governing halal medicines has been meticulously prepared and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. This move is in direct response to the application of the "Law on Medicines" and aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of pharmaceutical products in the country.

Minister  urged patience from the public, emphasizing that the new regulations are aligned with contemporary standards and will streamline the import and availability of high-quality medicines. This initiative marks a novel venture for Azerbaijan, introducing the concept of "Halal drugs" to the nation's healthcare landscape.

The concept of Halal drugs is not new on the global stage, with several Muslim-majority countries such as Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia having established Halal Drug Standards for years. However, in Azerbaijan, concerns frequently arise among both ordinary citizens and lawmakers regarding the steep prices of medicines compared to neighboring countries, coupled with concerns about the quality of available drugs. The introduction of Halal drugs raises questions about how this will address these pressing issues.

Azerbaijan currently meets only a fraction of its demand for pharmaceuticals, further underscoring the need for reforms in the sector. The Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization has informed Turan that the state standard AZS OIC/SMIIC 50-1:2023, titled "Halal drugs – Part 1: General requirements," has been officially adopted. These standards specify that Halal medicines are pharmaceutical products that contain ingredients permitted under Islamic rules, explicitly avoiding the use of blood of human or animal origin, prohibited liquids, and non-halal components.

However, not all experts are convinced of the necessity of Halal drugs. Dr. Aydin Aliyev, a radiologist and one of the founders of the public association "Doctors of Azerbaijan," expressed his skepticism in an interview with Radio Azadlig, stating, "The drug is a necessary tool for a sick person. Its halal status should not be a concern. The body must accept it for the disease to heal. In this regard, all drugs should be considered lawful."

Dr. Aliyev also raised concerns about the potential impact on drug pricing, which is already a contentious issue in Azerbaijan. He pointed out that many drugs in the country are priced significantly higher than in other nations, partly due to convoluted import and distribution processes. Rather than focusing on these pressing problems, he cautioned against getting bogged down in debates over the halal-haram (permissible-forbidden) aspects of medicines.

It is important to note that the production of medicines in Azerbaijan remains limited, with only a few basic medical supplies being manufactured locally. This raises doubts about the feasibility and impact of introducing Halal drug production in the country.

Unfortunately, at the time of reporting, it was not possible to obtain official responses from the Ministry of Health or other relevant government bodies regarding the concerns and opinions expressed in this article.