Recently, Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.
Salient Features
- Regulatory streamlining
- Building Competitiveness
- Infrastructure Development
- Facilitating R&D and Innovation
- Human Resource Development
- Awareness Creation and Brand Positioning
Objective
- This policy addresses the core objectives of accessibility, affordability, safety and quality and focuses on self-sustainability and innovation.
- This Policy envisions that by 2047, India
- Will be having few National Institutes of Medical Devices Education and Research (NIMERs) on the lines of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPERs).
- Will be home & originator to 25 high-end futuristic technologies in MedTech (Medical Technology).
- Will have a MedTech Industry of USD100-300 Billion size with 10-12% of Global Market Share.
Initiatives undertaken by the Government
- Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
- Production Linked Incentive PLI Scheme
- Medical Devices Rules: The Medical Devices Rules, 2017 notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, laid out the regulatory framework in terms of quality, safety and efficacy for medical devices.
- To improve access, the Government has made available 240 types of surgical supplies in over 8500 stores or Jan Aushadhi Kendras at highly affordable prices under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana.
Way Forward
Policy makers in India will need to set out an action plan to reduce the country’s dependency on medical devices/technology imports.
NITI Aayog is reportedly drawing up a strategic road map for medical devices similar to the incentive package that gives sizable capital subsidies for the electronics business, which helps boost local production of cell phones in the country.
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