Government Plans New Scheme To Boost Indian Medical Device Sector Post-PLI Success

Dr. Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, announced that the government is developing a new scheme to further strengthen the Indian medical device sector following the success of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.

Speaking at the ‘MediTech Stackathon-II 2024,’ organised by FICCI in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Chawla emphasised the need for a post-PLI framework to support the industry and reduce import dependence.

“The government approved the Medical Devices policy a few months ago, and this new scheme is being designed to support the industry and reduce our import dependence going forward beyond the PLI,” Dr Chawla said. He noted that the MediTech Stackathon is part of an ongoing industry consultation aimed at enhancing the sector.

Dr Chawla outlined the proposed scheme, which will focus on five key components: the establishment of common facilities for medical device clusters, capacity building and skill development, a marginal investment scheme to reduce import dependence, clinical trial support, and a medical device promotion scheme. He stressed the importance of integrating these policies to help India achieve its vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Highlighting the shortage of technical manpower in the medical devices sector, particularly medical engineers, Dr. Chawla urged the industry to invest more in clinical trials. He also mentioned that the government has partnered with the relevant skill development council to address this gap through the training and development of technicians and medical engineers.

Ravindra Pratap Singh, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, emphasised that the Meditech Stackathon-II represents the culmination of a three-month effort to complete the value chain mapping exercise. He described the Stackathon as a bridge connecting outputs with outcomes that will benefit the sector.

Ganesh Sabat, Co-Chair of the FICCI Medical Devices Committee and CEO of Sahajanand Medical Technologies acknowledged the numerous policy changes providing advantages in creating a comprehensive medical technology ecosystem in India. “The concept of Meditech as an industry has finally taken root in India,” he added.