New Delhi: In a significant move to elevate the medical devices industry, the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry today. The launch event was attended by Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, alongside Shri Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, as well as other key officials and industry representatives.
The newly introduced scheme is designed to comprehensively address critical aspects of the medical device sector. It targets key areas such as the manufacturing of essential components, skill development, clinical studies, common infrastructure, and industry promotion. Shri JP Nadda emphasized that this initiative would be transformative for the industry and serve as a pivotal step toward making India self-reliant in the medical devices domain. He remarked, “These interventions, though appearing modest, are set to yield substantial outcomes.” He also commended the efforts of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and sought active industry collaboration to ensure the scheme’s success.
Shri Nadda urged industry stakeholders to leverage this scheme to its full potential, assuring them of continuous government support. According to him, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is action-oriented, with initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme opening new opportunities. Minister of State Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted that the scheme would significantly benefit the medical device sector, which has become a crucial pillar of healthcare. She added that the government is committed to crafting policies to promote the growth of this industry.
The medical devices sector is vital for healthcare delivery, encompassing everything from diagnostic equipment to surgical tools, stents, and prosthetics. India’s medical device market, valued at around $14 billion, is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030. Despite this potential, the domestic manufacturing sector faces several challenges, notably a lack of infrastructure. To address this, the government has introduced a sub-scheme to provide financial assistance for developing common infrastructure within medical device clusters. This support includes funding for R&D labs, design and testing centers, and animal labs, with grants of up to Rs. 20 crore for common facilities and up to Rs. 5 crore for testing facilities.
Another sub-scheme focuses on strengthening the MedTech supply chain by encouraging local manufacturing of key components, raw materials, and accessories. Currently, a significant portion of these materials is imported, making Indian manufacturers dependent on external supplies. This sub-scheme aims to reduce this dependence by offering a one-time capital subsidy of 10-20%, capped at Rs. 10 crore per project, to incentivize local production.
To address the industry’s skill gap, a third sub-scheme is dedicated to capacity building and skill development. The goal is to create a skilled workforce capable of designing and developing innovative MedTech products. Financial support will be provided for Masters’ and short-term courses. Central government institutions offering Masters’ courses will receive up to Rs. 21 crore, while Rs. 10,000 per candidate for short-term courses and Rs. 25,000 per candidate for diploma courses will be available to NCVET-approved institutes.
A fourth sub-scheme focuses on supporting clinical studies, a critical need for the MedTech industry. Both established companies and startups can apply for financial support for conducting animal studies and subsequent human trials to validate new medical devices. Up to Rs. 2.5 crore is available for animal studies, while clinical investigations and post-market follow-ups can receive up to Rs. 5 crore. Additionally, up to Rs. 1 crore will be granted for clinical performance evaluations of new in-vitro diagnostic products. This support aims to enhance the safety and efficacy of medical devices produced in India and aid local manufacturers in securing international market approvals.
Lastly, the scheme includes a provision to support industry associations and export councils in promoting the medical device sector. Financial assistance will be available for organizing conferences, conducting surveys, and other activities that promote the industry’s growth.
The medical devices industry in India holds promising prospects. Domestic companies are already making strides in offering innovative solutions at competitive costs compared to international players. The Government of India is actively fostering an environment conducive to high-quality medical device development, and this newly launched scheme is poised to accelerate the sector’s growth, positioning India as a global leader in MedTech innovation.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
