DoP starts process to bring medical devices under its ambit

In a move aimed at regulating medical device prices in India, the government has started the process to bring the USD 4-billion sector under the ambit of pharmaceuticals department.
In this regard, it has been suggested that the pharmaceuticals department's name be changed as "Department of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices".
While releasing the report, Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar stated that the government is looking to regulate prices of medical devices in India to ensure the health security.
"The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is planning to approach the Cabinet Secretariat for changing its name to Department of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, so that medical devices (sector) can be brought under its purview," a source said.

The DoP comes under the Chemicals and Fertiliser Ministry.
The department is also considering to create a separate post of director to deal with issues related to the medical devices sector.

At present, the medical device industry needs only a licence from Drugs Controller General of India like other drugs.
Besides this, the government is also planning to take other steps such as setting up parks for medical devices and promote its manufacturing in the country.
There are about 700 domestic medical device manufacturers in the country. The size of Indian medical device industry is estimated at USD 4 billion.