Lok Sabha Question No. 1847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Strengthening Infrastructure of Medical Device Industry
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta, Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1847 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## Strengthening Infrastructure of Medical Device Industry

## 1847.   Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam:

Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has launched a 500 crore scheme for strengthening the medical devices industry and if so, the key components and objectives of the scheme;

(b) the role of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals in implementing the scheme and ensuring the availability of raw materials and components  for medical device manufacturing;

(c) the steps being taken under the scheme to reduce import dependency in the medical device sector and promote indigenous manufacturing of critical components;

(d) whether the Government is planning to establish medical device manufacturing clusters under this  scheme  and  if  so,  the  proposed  locations,  including  in  Karnataka  and  Dakshina Kannada;

(e) the expected impact of the scheme on India's self-reliance in medical technology, including projected growth in production capacity, employment generation, and export potential; and

(f) whether any capacity building and skill development initiatives are being implemented to support the medical device sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a):        In order to provide support in critical areas of the medical device industry, covering manufacturing  of  key  components  and  accessories,  skill  development,  support  for  clinical studies,  development  of  common  infrastructure  and  industry  promotion,  a  new  scheme "Strengthening  of  Medical  Device  Industry"  with  five  sub-schemes  has  been  launched  on 8.11.2024  with  financial  outlay  of  Rs.  500  crore.  Objective  of  the  sub-schemes  under  the scheme are as follows: -
- (i) Common Facilities for Medical Device Clusters : To strengthen existing infrastructure by providing financial assistance to medical device clusters for creating Common Infrastructure  Facilities,  boosting  domestic  manufacturing  capacity  and  improving  cluster quality and to strengthen availability of more Medical Device Testing Laboratories in order to boost manufacturing of quality medical devices.
- (ii) Marginal  Investment  Scheme  for  Reducing  Import  Dependence :  To  promote domestic production of key components, raw materials and accessories used in manufacturing of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices, in order to reduce dependence of Indian  medical  device  manufacturers  on  imported  key  components  and  raw  materials  and increase the depth of our value chains.
- (iii) Capacity  Building  and  Skill  Development  in  Medical  Device  Sector :  The  main objective of the component is to fill the gap existing in the education and research in medical devices sector and to ensure quality teaching, training and nurturing excellence in Medical Technology  education  for  generating  critical  mass  of  trained  human  resource  to  meet  the requirements of rapidly innovating multidisciplinary areas of Medical Technology and create R&D ecosystem for the sector.
- (iv) Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme :  To  support  the  medical  device industry by fostering development of devices supported by clinical evidence and generation of clinical data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the devices manufactured in India. This will promote manufacturing of quality products with better efficacy and safety. It will also enhance credibility of domestic manufacturers to produce high quality products, opening up opportunities for them in markets outside the country.
- (v) Medical Device Promotion Scheme : To promote Medical Device Industry by bringing industry leaders, academia and policy makers together to share their knowledge and experience for overall development of the sector as well as to facilitate growth and development of the sector through conducting studies, organizing awareness programs, creation of databases and promotion of industry.
- (b):      There is no specific role envisaged for the Department of Chemical and Petrochemicals (DCPC)  under  the  scheme.  However,  DCPC  may  facilitate  availability  of  raw  materials required by the Medical Device Industry.
- (c): Through the sub scheme marginal Investment scheme for reducing Import Dependence, support will be available to the industry in form of capital subsidy of 10-20% depending upon the  turnover  of  the  applicant  up  to  a  maximum  for  Rs.  10  crore  for  manufacturing  key components, raw materials and accessories used in manufacturing of medical device. This will help  reduce  import  of  these  materials  into  the  country  and  strengthen  our  supply  chain  in manufacturing of medical devices.
- (d): No  Sir,  the  government  is  not  planning  to  establish  medical  device  manufacturing clusters under the scheme.
- (e): The  overall  goal  of  this  scheme  is  to  make  India  a  global  hub  for  medical  device manufacturing and innovation. By addressing the key challenges faced by the industry, this scheme  is  expected  to  boost  domestic  manufacturing,  create  jobs,  and  improve  access  to affordable and high-quality medical devices for Indian patients. By promoting collaboration between  industry  players,  research  institutions,  and  government  bodies,  the  scheme  can strengthen the domestic sector, reduce dependency on imports, and position the country as a leader in the global medical device market.
- (f): Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Devices Sector Scheme is one of  the  component/sub-scheme of new scheme  "Strengthening  of Medical Device  Industry" approved with a financial outlay  of Rs. 100  crore for the period of three  years. Under the scheme financial support will be provided to Central Government Universities/Institutes for running multi-disciplinary post-graduate courses(MS/MTech/PG-Diploma) in medical devices and  to  Central/State  Government  Universities/  Institutes  and  Private  Institutes  for  running diploma,  certificate  and  short-term  training  courses  for  existing  workforce  (technicians, regulators) of medical device industry.

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