AiMeD thanks PM Modi for 10% of GDP as Economy Boosting Package

New Delhi: Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) in a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has wholeheartedly thanked him for considering 10% of GDP as an economy-boosting package. “This is the opportunity for India to vie for being the 2nd factory in the world for Medical Devices & a dependable Manufacturer of quality products in the global supply chain,” the letter stated.

In his letter, in possession of BioVoice, Mr Nath highlighted the key issues that the Indian Medical Devices industry has been requesting the government to support including addressing 90% import dependence and over Rs. 45000 crore medical devices import bill by simple executive orders or by the policy.

“As India has all the potential to be second factory of the world for medical devices, Mr Nath said, “India should not lose this opportunity to make India self-reliant in medical devices and requested the PM to ask Ministries to act on expediting government payments and easing cash flow. “Many MSMEs were not paid over 6 to 12 months to Public Healthcare,” he added.

“Custom duty should be increased to 15% on Medical Devices as done for Mobile Phones, up from current Zero to 7.5% or Manufacturer will keep on importing, cheaper and convenient. Ban Import of Preowned Medical Electronics is required and preferential price on sale to public healthcare as permissible by GFR 153 & WTO based on Domestic Content % e.g.15% for 50% domestic content, 10% for 40% domestic content and 5% for 25% domestic content,” demanded Mr Nath.

Mr Nath called for a Medical Device Law as he believes Drugs Act is not appropriate for Innovative Engineering Products like Medical Electronics. “Ventilator could not have been made by Multiple New Manufacturer in 3-4 weeks, like by Maruti, had Drugs Act already been applicable on Ventilators. Additionally, in absence of the Regulatory Approval, Manufacturer are discouraged to sell to Public Health, by Exclusionary Clause USFDA approval Clause”

He also called for regulation of MRP. “Consumer Electronics like Infrared Thermometer needs to have a Maximum MRP 3-4 times of import Price. “Currently less than 1000 Rs. Non-Contact Thermometer is selling at 6000 to 10,000 Rs, black marketing, he said, “Customs may collate demand at National level and share with us, (Quantitative & Price Range) to attract Manufacturing Scale-up.”

“The government has thankfully quickly taken some much needed drastic and bold steps to control the pandemic. We also appreciate the collaborative efforts of the Govt. approving the much needed schemes & policies for promotion of the Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices in the country. In our recent interactions with government, we have represented in detail what all needs to be done to make India self-reliant in medical devices and hope the announcements will address the issues we raised”, concluded Mr. Rajiv Nath.