CII concerned about misleading reports portraying Indian drugs and devices regulators in poor light

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Medical Technology division, Chairman, Pavan Choudary on Monday expressed concern about the recent misleading reports in certain sections of the media portraying Indian Drugs and Devices Regulators in poor light.

He termed this is as unfortunate and hence he wished to condemn such reports.

"We believe that the Indian Drugs and Devices regulatory agencies are truly doing a commendable job by effectively monitoring the quality of medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics products which are quiet different from drugs, imported into, or manufactured and sold in India", said Choudary.

The Chairman stated that in fact today both the executive arm of the Government as well as the legislature are fully cognizant of the fact that Medical devices need to be disaggregated from Drugs for their effective regulation and this awareness is reflected in their decisions which are sensitive to the difference between Drugs (Chemical units) and Devices (Mechanical entities) without compromising patient interest.

Choudary added that the Indian drugs and medical devices regulatory agencies have ensured that the medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic products which are manufactured or imported in to the country, stay continuously available to the patients who need them and are used in the most appropriate, effective and safe way.

Choudary expressed that it has been proven also by the fact that the quality of Healthcare outcomes in India is at par with global best, which is attracting patients from many foreign countries to India as well as saving precious foreign exchange which was in the pre reform period spent on medical treatment of Indian citizens abroad. Another proof of the quality of medical devices manufactured in India is their growing acceptance world-wide.

The Chairman also emphasized that as an industry body, comprising of both Indian and multinational manufacturers of global repute, we have, for many past years, worked in close collaboration with our regulatory agencies.

"We continue to look forward to working in close collaboration with our regulatory agencies for driving safety and better treatment of Indian patients," Choudary added.