• Shows noble and ambitious intent of PM Narendra Modi: Rajiv Nath

Association of Indian Medical Industry (AiMeD) Forum Coordinator Rajiv Nath has hailed Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) Scheme as a “noble and ambitious intent” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will give a boost to Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign.

Talking to media persons on the launch of National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India and PRIP Scheme here at India International Centre today, Nath said: “It is a noble and ambitious intent to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, which is to make our country a world leader in manufacturing based on value addition.”

“Instead of going for a cost cutting volume based approach, we should focus on promoting indigenous R&D and innovation. The public procurement system needs to incentivise innovation, I am glad to hear the Honourable Minister empathise with the innovators that it’s understandable that they will not be having market standing initially or even no turnover. I am glad to share here that many of MSMEs in the medical devices sector have hugely invested in R&D and they are making world class devices, which are affordable and much better than the refurbished imported ones, these efforts need recognition and support,” said Nath.

Nath, who attended the event organized to launch the National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India and PRIP Scheme by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Health & Family Welfare, said: “The new Policy and PRIP Scheme will lead to a coordinated approach by bringing various institutions and R&D projects on to a common dashboard so that industry knows what’s going on and where one can connect to seek competitive advantage as well help to commercialise priority devices for meeting Indian public health care priorities.”

Meanwhile, Nath also reiterated the request of the industry to withdraw the new Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, which he said, is fraught with loopholes and repercussions for the domestic medical device industry and threatens to derail the ‘Make in India’ campaign.

The Bill is not only divorced from the ground realities, concerns and interests of patients, their safety and survival of local players who have invested so hugely over the years but is also heavily tilted in favour of imports from MNCs. It will prove disastrous for domestic players, he said.

From being Atma Nirbhar in terms of medical devices, effective management of e-waste, affordability and quality, creating of direct and indirect job opportunities to completely reduce our dependence on imports – the adoption of Bill will leave behind an array of multifaceted repercussions, ultimately ensuring that much lauded ‘Make in India’ campaign derails, said Nath.

It is painful indeed that instead of providing progressive modern regulations benchmarked to latest and best international regulations, the new Bill has been drafted by a committee of regulators seemingly misled by MNC lobby to suit themselves, without following due democratic pre-legislative processes and that continues to seek to regulate devices alongside drugs under the garb of a separate chapter for some provisions, he said.

Nath added that the need of the hour is a progressive modern separate law for addressing patient safety concerns. NITI Aayog had drafted an excellent Medical Devices (Safety, Effectiveness and Innovation) Bill, 2019 but in vain. Even the impactful legislations in countries like Canada, UK, EU, Brazil, Japan, and Saudi Arabia were not studied. Who blocked that progressive visionary Bill from even reaching public discourse remains a big enigma today, he asked.