Centre launches Rs 500-crore scheme to boost medical device industry

The Centre on Friday launched a scheme for strengthening the medical device industry with an initial outlay of Rs 500 crore for three years.

The scheme targets 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. It consists of five sub-schemes — common facilities for clusters of medical devices with an outlay of Rs 100 crore, marginal investment for reducing import dependence (Rs 180 crore), capacity building and skill development regarding medical devices (Rs 100 crore), Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme (Rs 100 crore) and medical device promotion (Rs 10 crore).

Minister of State (MoS) for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel said, “Medical devices have become an important pillar of the healthcare industry and their demand is rising continuously.”

The ministers acknowledged that the lack of infrastructure remains the primary challenge for the industry. “Through the sub-scheme for common facilities for medical devices clusters, the Centre will provide financial assistance to medical device clusters for creating common infrastructure facilities,” an official statement said.

The second sub-scheme is designed to deepen the MedTech supply chain in the country and reduce dependence on imported components. The third sub-scheme aims to develop a skilled technical workforce, capable of designing and developing MedTech products. Centre will offer financial support for running various courses. Support of up to Rs 21 crore would be granted for masters’ courses in central institutions; and Rs 10,000 per candidate for short-term courses and Rs 25,000 per candidate for diploma courses will be available.

The fourth sub-scheme enables medical device developers and manufacturers to apply for financial support for animal studies. Financial support of up to Rs 2.5 crore would be provided for animal studies.

For clinical investigation and post-market clinical follow-ups on approved devices, a maximum of Rs 5 crore is available to generate clinical data. Up to Rs 1 crore can be granted for clinical performance evaluations of new in-vitro diagnostic products. The last sub-scheme aims to support industry associations and exports councils via aiding conferences and other activities.