The government has decided to tighten the reins on ultrasound machines and similar imaging equipment in order to prevent companies from importing these products into India without proper registration.

The move is also expected to ensure that these products follow high quality standards and are easier for the government to track in order to prevent abuse like the use of ultrasound machines for sex determination.

The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the apex body advising the central drug regulator on technical matters related to drugs and cosmetics, has agreed to include these equipment as well as organ preservative solutions as medical devices under the purview of the country’s existing drug regulations. This is with an aim to regulate the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of these products.

Companies would now have to take permission from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the central drug regulator, to import these products into India.