What is the ruling on a pharmacist working in Germany, in the manufacture or sale of medicines that contain pork gelatin or alcohol, while being careful not to sell them to Muslims if an alternative is available?

It is not permissible to work in the manufacturing of medicines that contain alcohol or gelatin extracted from pigs. Alcohol is an intoxicant, and it is not permissible to consume it or to use it for treatment. What is extracted from pigs is impure.

If the proportion of forbidden alcohol or gelatin in the medicine is very small, such that a large quantity of it would not intoxicate, or if it is completely consumed (transformed) so as not to affect the taste, color, or smell, then it is permissible to consume and sell it. Islamic Fiqh academies have permitted this in the absence of an alternative.

However, if a large quantity of the medicine causes intoxication, or if it contains pig fat without transformation (istihalah), then it is not permissible to consume or sell it. It is permissible to work in pharmacies, and most medicines are permissible. However, it is obligatory to avoid selling forbidden medicines if their presence becomes apparent.