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HSA study due to Muis’ concern over alleged pig ingredients
THE Health Sciences Authority will be looking into a meningitis vaccine, amid concerns by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) that it contains ingredients from pigs.
Muis was alerted to possible problems with the vaccine Mencevax ACWY after clerics in Indonesia declared it haram, or forbidden under Islamic law, as pork and pig-derived by-products are prohibited for Muslims.
The drug, made by global pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmith-Kline (GSK), is the only meningitis vaccine used in Singapore. As a result, it is vital to the Muslim community as being vaccinated against meningitis – an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord – is a requirement under Saudi Arabia law for those who wish to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
In response to queries, the HSA said that while it has received information from GSK stating that Mencevax does not contain materials of bovine and porcine origin, it would still “be reviewing and studying the information with Muis”.
The Jakarta Globe reported yesterday that Indonesia’s Health Ministry has halted distribution of Mencevax for those planning the pilgrimage to Mecca, after the Indonesian Council of Ulema on Monday passed an edict banning
the vaccine, citing the use of porcine enzymes.
Indonesia’s Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said on Thursday that the country will not use the vaccines already purchased from GSK for 20 billion rupiah (S$3 million).
The ministry would likely switch to the Novartis vaccine, acceptable for Muslims because it does not contain pig-derived components. It should be approved by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency by the end of the month.
The decision comes amid preparations for the annual haj that falls some time in November, with about 213,000 Indonesian and Singaporean pilgrims expected to travel to Mecca this year.
The Saudi health authorities require that all pilgrims receive a meningitis vaccination before entering the country to prevent any of them from contracting the sometimes fatal illness.
This meningitis vaccination is compulsory for both pilgrims of the annual haj and the umrah, which can be undertaken at any time during the year.
Despite the furore in Indonesia over the use on Mencevax, GSKinsists that no elements from pigs are used in the manufacturing process or in the production of materials used in the manufacturing of the drug.
The Straits Times understands that there is no distinction made between halal and non-halal drugs in Singapore.
For Singaporean Muslims, Muis has a list of approved travel agencies with packages to Mecca, which include getting vaccinated against meningitis.
Said Mr Hussin Abdul Hamid, the director of one such agency, Halijah Travel: “We fix a day for our clients to get their vaccination from one of the clinics on a list that we provide.”
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