Union Health Minister Inaugurates 8th Int’l Conf on Pharma & Medical Device Sector

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, made these remarks during the inauguration of the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector. The conference, organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), aims to promote India as a manufacturing hub for high-quality medical products.

Dr. Mandaviya reiterated the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and emphasized India's role in meeting not only its own requirements but also those of other nations under unprecedented circumstances. He unveiled the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, and launched the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices. Furthermore, he introduced the ‘Assistance for Medical Devices Clusters for Common Facilities (AMD-CF)’ scheme, which aims to strengthen infrastructure and testing facilities for medical devices.

The Health Minister highlighted the potential of India's pharmaceutical sector, often referred to as the ‘Pharmacy of the World.’ He emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality, affordability, and competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical products in the global market. Dr. Mandaviya expressed the government's commitment to supporting the industry with investor-friendly policies and fostering a conducive ecosystem for growth, including investments in research and development and efficient manufacturing capacities.

Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, acknowledged the transformative phase of the medical device sector and stressed the significance of innovation for success. He mentioned the government's Production Linked Scheme for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, which has catalyzed growth and development in the sector.

The conference featured a CEO roundtable, chaired by Dr. Mandaviya, providing stakeholders with a platform to discuss issues and explore growth opportunities on a national and international level. The Union Health Minister engaged in an in-depth consultation with participants, encouraging brainstorming on various fronts such as policy, economy, research, and innovation.

The event was attended by government officials including N Yuvaraj and Dr. Srikar Reddy, representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, and academia. The conference, held over two days, focused on the themes of ‘Sustainable MedTech 5.0: Scaling and Innovating Indian MedTech’ for the medical device sector and ‘Indian pharma industry: Delivering Value through Innovation’ for the pharmaceutical sector.

The International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector serves as a platform to showcase India's potential as a global leader in the production of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. It reinforces the government's commitment to supporting the industry, promoting innovation, and fostering a conducive ecosystem for growth in these critical sectors.