Government Initiatives

• The Union Cabinet approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 on April 26, 2023. The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 is expected to facilitate an orderly growth of the medical device sector to meet the public health objectives of access, affordability, quality, and innovation. The policy is expected to help the Medical Devices Sector grow from the present US$ 11 billion to US$ 50 billion by 2030.
• Under the PLI scheme for Medical Devices, till now, a total of 26 projects have been approved, with a committed investment of Rs. 1,206 crore (US$ 147 million) to enable growth and innovation in the MedTech industry and make India as the global hub for manufacturing and innovation in the coming years.
• In September 2022, the government of India approved the setting up of an export promotion council for medical devices, under the Department of pharmaceuticals, with its headquarters in Noida.
• In August 2022, the Department of Pharmaceuticals greenlit the "Promotion of Medical Device Parks" programme from FY21-25 with a total financial investment of Rs. 400 crore (US$ 48.97 million), with a maximum support under the programme of Rs. 100 crore (US$ 12.24 million) for each Medical Device Park.
• In August 2022, the Department of Pharmaceuticals reconstituted the National Medical Devices Promotion Council (NMDPC) under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
• In July 2022, the government tabled a draft for the new Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill 2022, to assure and offer thorough legal protections to ensure that the medical items sold in India are reliable, efficient, and up to required standards.
• In the Union Budget 2022-23, Rs. 86,200 crore (US$ 11.3 billion) was allocated as a budget for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.
• In October 2021, the government announced plan to draft a new drugs, cosmetics and medical devices bill to increase the acceptability of Indian medical devices in the global market.
• In October 2021, the government announced that 13 companies have been approved under the PLI scheme for medical devices, which is expected to boost domestic manufacturing in the country.
• In September 2021, the government sanctioned a proposal worth Rs. 5,000 crore (US$ 674.36 million) to build a medical devices park in Himachal Pradesh’s industrial township, Nalagarh, in the Solan district.
• In September 2021, the government approved a medical devices park in Oragadam (Tamil Nadu) that is expected to attract an estimated investment of Rs. 3,500 crore (US$ 472.05 million) and offer direct and indirect employment to ~10,000 people.
• In July 2021, the government announced that they would build a medical park in Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to generate an estimated Rs. 500 crore (US$ 67.13 million) business in the state.
• In June 2021, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) launched the Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) 13485 Plus scheme to undertake verification of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical devices
• To boost domestic manufacturing of medical devices and attract huge investments in India, the department of pharmaceuticals launched a PLI scheme for domestic manufacturing of medical devices, with a total outlay of funds worth Rs. 3,420 crore (US$ 468.78 million) for the period FY21-28.
• The Medical Devices Virtual Expo 2021 showcased Indian products and enabled direct interaction between Indian suppliers and buyers/importers from participating countries; 300 foreign buyers from the healthcare sector participated in this event.
• In March 2021, the PLI Scheme for pharmaceuticals worth Rs. 15,000 crores (US$ 1.96 billion) was launched. This scheme aims to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors and contribute to the availability of a wider range of affordable medicines for consumers.
• On March 25, 2021, the Department of Pharmaceuticals released a revised notice on the Public Procurement Order (PPO), incorporating 19 medical devices in the revised guidelines of the PPO, which is expected to improve domestic medical devices manufacturing (and strengthen ‘Make in India’) and reduce import bills by ~Rs. 4,000 crore (US$ 538.62 million).
• In April 2021, in order to expedite the clearance of medical devices such as nebulisers, oxygen concentrators and oxygen cannisters, the government made it easier to import critical medical devices by easing the requirements for clearance under the Legal Metrology Act (Packaging Rules 2011).