Govt’s MedTech policy should be focussed on patient well being: AdvaMed

New Delhi: The Association of global medical technology companies, AdvaMed, has lamented that the policy followed by the government on the public procurement of medical devices is not in sync with the focus on well being of patients.

In a statement issued on 29th May, AdvaMed mentioned that its members have deep concerns about the impact of industrial policies such as local content requirements (LCR) for the public procurement of medical devices on patients’ health and wellbeing. “Imposing LCRs, particularly in a market that is in the nascent stages in India and still heavily dependent on imported medical devices and IVDs, has the potential to disrupt supplies and deny patients access to life-saving technologies,” it said.

AdvaMed stated that it strongly believes that the healthcare industry, centered around patient needs, should be recognized for its valuable contribution towards advancing patient wellbeing and safety. The association mentioned: “In the spirit of achieving healthcare for all, we urge the government to explore policies that facilitate access to medical technologies and IVDs – not erect barriers to advance India’s industrial policies. Keeping patient needs at the centre of policy decisions is even more crucial at this time with the introduction of the National Health Protection Scheme.”

AdvaMed has urged the Indian and other governments across the globe to keep patients at the centre of their thinking and resist the urge to implement policies that risk patient wellbeing as part of a larger industrial policy. “Thoughtful policies that benefit patients and industry by supporting innovation will ensure improved patient access to innovative medical technologies and solutions in India. It will be laudable if the regulatory environment enables India’s nascent medical device industry to grow and be sustainable in order to maintain a steady supply of innovative medical devices.”

“The government of India could refer to the global best practices for public procurement of medical technologies. For example, the World Bank framework for medical equipment focuses on value for money to ensure procurement participants receive quality technologies that are sustainable over time,” the statement concluded.