Centre moves to frame policy for regulation of refurbished medical devices

New Delhi: As India’s healthcare system increasingly turns to medical technology to expand access and affordability, the question of how refurbished medical devices should be regulated has come into sharper focus.

Addressing this emerging challenge, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has moved to strengthen oversight by constituting a dedicated committee to frame a comprehensive policy for the regulation of refurbished medical devices.

The government’s intent to bring greater clarity and accountability to this segment was conveyed in Parliament, with Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, sharing the details in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on February 03, 2026.

The newly formed committee has been entrusted with examining the scope of refurbished medical devices in the Indian context and developing a methodology to assess their safety, performance, and remaining useful life. In addition, it will recommend guidance on the safe and sustainable disposal of refurbished devices once they reach the end of their operational lifespan, aligning regulatory oversight with broader public health and waste management goals.

Currently, medical devices in India are governed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Medical Device Rules, 2017. However, the growing circulation of refurbished equipment, often seen as a cost-effective alternative, has highlighted the need for clearer standards to ensure patient safety, device performance, and environmental responsibility.

The government’s move signals a cautious but forward-looking approach, balancing the need for affordable healthcare solutions with uncompromising standards of quality, safety, and environmental stewardship in India’s medical devices ecosystem.