New Delhi: The Central government approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, on Wednesday (April 26), with an aim to grow the medical devices sector from the present $11 billion to $50 billion in the next five years, by facilitating the domestic production of the devices, enabling an ecosystem for manufacturing and innovation, and reducing the import of the equipment.
The policy also aims to accelerate the growth of the medical devices industry and has been introduced with the objective of increasing India’s share in the global market from the current 1.5 per cent to 12 per cent over the next 25 years.
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Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya took to Twitter confirming the approval of the policy.
PM @NarendraModi Ji led Cabinet approves the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 ????
In line with PM Modi Ji's clarion call of 'Make in India, Make For the World', the policy will help in making ???????? a global leader in the manufacturing and innovation of medical devices. pic.twitter.com/ClyuvkwtR1
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) April 26, 2023
Dr. Mandaviya, said that the policy will help bring together efforts for systematic development and expansion of the medical device sector.
The demand for medical devices in India has increased, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. So, to promote this industry, the government had sanctioned four medical parks last year. Currently, India imports 75 per cent of the medical devices. But this policy will help reduce imports and increase domestic manufacturing. The medical device policy is a comprehensive effort towards it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the policy will boost the health sector and accelerate efforts to make India a leader in making and exporting medical devices.
This is an important decision taken by the Cabinet, which will boost the health sector and further our efforts to make India a leader in making as well as exporting medical devices. https://t.co/EKQn6bmcNf https://t.co/LqnXxscDnA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 27, 2023
According to the official statement,
The contribution of the sector has become even more prominent as India supports the domestic and global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE POLICY:
- Under the policy, the government will create a “Single Window Clearance System’ for Licensing of Medical Devices for the ease of doing business.
- The strategy intends to enhance the role of agencies such as Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)in product manufacturing, processing, and even looking at its performance.
- The policy aims to upskill the professionals To have an adequate supply of skilled workforce in the medical device sector, including scientists, regulators, health experts, managers, technicians, etc.
- The policy will work towards developing partnerships with foreign academic and industry organisations.
- To strengthen the infrastructure, medical device parks and clusters equipped with world-class common infrastructure facilities, Research & Development (R&D) centres, Centres of Excellence in academic and research institutions, and innovation hubs are planned.
- A Medical Device Park is set to come up on an area of 350 acres in Sector 28 of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority in Uttar Pradesh. So far, 59 plots have been allotted for Medical Device Park.
The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has expressed gratitude to the Centre for the policy, saying it was a long-awaited decision. Speaking to news agency ANI, Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, AiMeD, said,
At AiMeD, we are delighted with the Cabinet’s decision to announce the Medical Devices Policy, which fulfils PM Narendra Modi and India’s aspirations of becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat and the top five suppliers of medical devices worldwide. This is a direction that we have been seeking for a long time. It’s a long-awaited decision.
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