The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, has launched a significant initiative to boost the medical devices industry in India. The “Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry” aims to make India self-reliant in medical device manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
A Comprehensive Approach to Industry Growth
This comprehensive scheme targets critical areas of the medical device sector, focusing on:
- Manufacturing of Key Components and Accessories
- Skill Development and Capacity Building
- Support for Clinical Studies
- Development of Common Infrastructure
- Industry Promotion and Market Access
Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, and Shri Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, were also present at the launch, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the industry’s growth.
Key Highlights of the Scheme
The scheme has a total outlay of ₹500 Crores and consists of five sub-schemes:
- Common Facilities for Medical Devices Clusters (₹110 Crore)
- Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence (₹180 Crore)
- Capacity Building and Skill Development for Medical Devices (₹100 Crore)
- Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme (₹100 Crore)
- Medical Device Promotion Scheme (₹10 Crore)
1. Developing Common Facilities for Medical Devices Clusters
One of the primary challenges faced by the medical device manufacturing sector is the lack of infrastructure. Through this sub-scheme, the central government will provide financial assistance to medical device clusters for creating common infrastructure facilities such as:
- Research and Development Labs
- Design and Testing Centers
- Animal Labs
Financial Assistance:
- Up to ₹20 Crore for developing common facilities.
- Up to ₹5 Crore for strengthening existing testing facilities or setting up new ones.
2. Marginal Investment Scheme to Reduce Import Dependence
Currently, India relies heavily on imports for raw materials and key components in medical device production. This sub-scheme aims to deepen the MedTech supply chain by encouraging the manufacturing of essential components within the country.
Financial Assistance:
- A one-time capital subsidy of 10-20%, with a maximum cap of ₹10 Crore per project.
3. Capacity Building and Skill Development
To develop a skilled workforce capable of designing and developing MedTech products, this sub-scheme focuses on:
- Supporting Master’s and short-term courses in medical device technology.
- Enhancing technical expertise in the sector.
Financial Assistance:
- Up to ₹21 Crore for Master’s courses in central government institutions.
- ₹10,000 per candidate for short-term courses.
- ₹25,000 per candidate for diploma courses in National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) approved institutes.
4. Support for Clinical Studies
Clinical validation is crucial for the safety and efficacy of medical devices. This pioneering sub-scheme provides financial support for:
- Animal studies
- Human trials
- Clinical performance evaluations of new in-vitro diagnostic products
Financial Assistance:
- Up to ₹2.5 Crore for animal studies.
- Up to ₹5 Crore for clinical investigations and post-market clinical follow-ups.
- Up to ₹1 Crore for clinical performance evaluations.
5. Medical Device Promotion Scheme
To enhance industry promotion and market access, this sub-scheme supports:
- Industry associations and export councils.
- Organizing conferences and events.
- Conducting surveys and studies related to the medical device sector.
Financial Assistance:
- Funding for activities that promote medical device-related initiatives.
Government’s Commitment to Self-Reliance
Union Minister Shri JP Nadda emphasized that this scheme is a game-changer and a long leap towards making India self-reliant in the medical device industry. He stated:
“These interventions may look small, but the outcomes are big. The government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a government of action. The PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme itself is something which has opened new paths.”
Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted the importance of the medical device industry as an essential pillar of healthcare, noting that:
“Medical devices have become an important pillar of the healthcare industry. We find them in everyday life, and everybody is aware of their significance as demand is continuously rising.”
The Growing Medical Device Market in India
- Current Market Value: Approximately $14 billion.
- Projected Growth: Expected to reach $30 billion by 2030.
Indian companies are advancing rapidly, delivering innovative solutions at a fraction of the cost compared to international competitors. The government’s support through this scheme is set to accelerate this growth.
Conclusion
The “Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry” is a significant step towards:
- Enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- Reducing import dependence.
- Developing a skilled workforce.
- Supporting clinical validation and research.
- Promoting industry growth and innovation.
With these initiatives, India is poised to become a global leader in medical device manufacturing, ensuring affordable and high-quality healthcare solutions for all. To register for our next masterclass please click here https://linktr.ee/docpreneur
