Nadda for more investment, players in medical devices sector

Nearly 1.5 lakh orthopaedic knee procedures are done every day in India, Union minister J P Nadda today said and advocated the need for more investment and players in medical devices sector which would lead to lowering of prices and access to such products.
The Union health minister said India is deeply committed, both nationally and globally, for achieving all public health goals and was also focusing on developing the country as a hub of affordable medical devices.
"In India, nearly 1,50,000 orthopaedic knee procedures are done every day. More investments and more players in the medical devices sector will lead to lowering of prices and access to medical products, as most of the governments are sensitive to access and pricing of medical products," Nadda said.

He was speaking at the first world conference on 'Access to Medical Products and International Laws for Trade and Health in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' here.
According to a health ministry statement, the objective of the conference was to exchange knowledge and expand understanding on contemporary issues in international trade laws and research and innovation for access to medical products to achieve sustainable development goals 2030 agenda.
Nadda emphasised that the National Medical Device Policy, 2015 will enable local manufactures in the multiproduct, multidisciplinary industry.

The health minister said there is a need for promoting collaboration between industry and academia for developing affordable medical products so that innovations and advances in medical sector reach a vast population.

Highlighting the importance of transparency between regulatory authorities and pharma sector, he said coordination between national regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical sector will enable launch and registration of new health technologies.
He said dialogue on the role of competition in competitive pricing and discussion on related WTO agreements influencing health sector should lead to a larger umbrella of suggested policy options for the government.
Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said that at the national level, access to medical products is an important facet of the health system, as at the international level, it is a critical factor for the success of the 2030 sustainable development goals agenda.

Niti Aayog member V K Paul said there is a need for investment in medical products for preventive therapy and treatment.
He highlighted the importance of affordability, quality, domestic production capacity and creation of an eco-system of policy and innovation for greater accessibility of affordable medical drugs and devices.
Technology is an integral part for strengthening medical systems in any country. Also, timely maintenance of medical equipment by suppliers in remote and rural areas must be ensured, Paul said.