Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector, highlighting India’s robust and responsive pharmaceutical industry. 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 quality medical products in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized India’s significant role in meeting the demand for medicines not only domestically but also in supplying medicines to 150 countries during the pandemic. He reiterated the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) as guiding principles.
During the conference, Dr. Mandaviya unveiled the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, and launched the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices. He also introduced the “Assistance for Medical Devices clusters for Common Facilities (AMD-CF)” scheme, aimed at establishing and strengthening common infrastructure and testing facilities in medical device clusters.
The Health Minister highlighted the immense potential of India’s pharmaceutical sector, known as the “Pharmacy of the World,” and emphasized the importance of maintaining high quality, affordability, and competitiveness in the global market. He underlined the government’s commitment to supporting the sector with industry-friendly policies and creating an investor-friendly ecosystem.
The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, highlighted the various initiatives, including the Production Linked Scheme for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, that have catalyzed growth and development in the sector. He emphasized the need for substantial resources to harness the sector’s potential.
The Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Shri Ajay Kumar Sood, emphasized the importance of innovation in the medical device sector and the need for continuous transformation.
Following the inaugural session, a CEO roundtable was conducted, allowing stakeholders to discuss existing issues and avenues for growth in the sector. Dr. Mandaviya engaged with stakeholders, encouraging discussions on policy, economic aspects, research, and innovation.
The conference was attended by various government officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from academia. It spanned two days, with the first day dedicated to the medical device sector and the second day focused on the pharmaceutical sector. The themes of the conference revolved around sustainable scaling and innovation in the Indian MedTech and pharmaceutical industries.
