The Commerce Ministry data analysed by the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has shown that the imports of medical devices are up by a record 41 per cent at Rs 63,200 crore in 2021-22 from Rs 44,708 crore in 2020-21.

Speaking on the rise in imports of medical devices, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said, “NITI Aayog and the Department of Pharmaceuticals recognises that Indian manufacturers have a 12-15 per cent disability factor in manufacturing medical devices in India. We urge the government to neutralise this disability for reduction of medical device imports in India as was in the case of consumer electronics, including mobile phones and even in the toy industry.
At present, the duty on Chinese imports ranges mostly from zero to 10 per cent, but the bulk of the items are in the 7.5 per cent category and one item at 25 per cent.

Nath urged Department of Science & Technology (DST) & Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to seek correction of the tariff to a nominal 15 per cent because then only entrepreneurs can survive and have a productive relationship with academic institutions for innovations in process and product development or incremental improvements in performance to become competitive.

"We on behalf of the Indian Medical Devices industry request the Govt. to expedite steps to end the 80 per cent import dependence forced upon us and an ever-increasing import bill of over Rs 63,200 crore, expedite steps for patients’ protection, stronger quality and safety regulations, price controls to make medical devices and quality treatment accessible and affordable and ethical indigenous manufacturing viable The Healthcare Security of India is at very Risk. It’s a very alarming situation as the increase has been five-fold over six years as India imported Rs 12,866-crore worth of medical devices in 2016-17,” said Nath.


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