India's Medtech Ecosystem Poised for Global Scale-Up Post-COVID

Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, shares his insights at the 17^th CII Global Summit, about the Medtech ecosystem in India evolving throughout the years especially, after COVID.

He highlights how the health tourism has become an indication of Indian strength strategy which makes the medical visas to be doubled within five years. Emphasizing how the Indian government is serious about the Department of Pharmaceuticals which operates seven NIPERs, serving Medtech as well.

What do you think is the status of India in Medtech production, particularly after COVID, and what is the future?

Local manufacturing has satisfied only 10 percent of domestic demand prior to the COVID outbreak. Now it is estimated at 30 and even on high end hardware around 20 percent. This transformation shows an important turning point. Products that were unheard of before are now being produced in India linear accelerators, cobalt machines, MRI and CT scanners, mammography and ultrasound machines, heart valves, occluders, stents, balloon catheters, defibrillators, ventilators, dialysis machines, knee implants and more. Since we have passed this Rubicon and with increased purchasing power, increased healthcare and economic growth, the scale-up is bound to increase very rapidly. India is also becoming a global partner, a trade deal with the UK is already finalized, one with Europe is underway, and talks are well advanced with New Zealand and Australia. India is attracting many countries in the global south to find solutions to their healthcare at a competitive cost.

What do you think about the contribution of technology leadership and medical tourism in India to Medtech development?

Medical equipment is a technology industry, and the success that India had in ICT demonstrates what can be achieved in this area. India can also become a natural leader in Medtech with its huge labor force and our entrepreneurial spirit. Health tourism is an indication of Indian power, medical visas have been doubled in only five years, and this means a five-fold increase in the number of patients in the global south and the north. Certifications will just demonstrate just minimum requirements, recurring patient trust demonstrates best. India has a strong reputation in the manufacturing of many of the equipment which have been used in healthcare today. The scope is not only in importation of world products but developing solutions to world problems is an opportunity provided by India.

Also Read: JP Nadda Inaugurates India MedTech Expo 2025 in New Delhi

What should be done to improve the Medtech ecosystem between the stages of innovation and commercialization?

Every element of the value chain should be made stronger to resolve ecosystem and scale issues, including, breakthrough innovation, translational innovation, manufacturing, investment and commercialization. Innovators need to get in touch with manufacturers; investors need to support scaling. While, the government is completely serious about the Department of Pharmaceuticals operates seven NIPERs, serving Medtech as well. They are re-orienting these institutes toward active industry collaboration, curriculum co-design, internship, cluster adoption within industry, and measuring success by product translation, and not just patents. We are also implementing the 5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma Tech Sector (PRIP) scheme, in which up to 100 crore can be funded to startups, MSMEs, and industry - which we anticipate will generate a strong pipeline of innovation.

How do you compare Medtech innovation process in India with ICT and what role does start up and industry play?

The Medtech industry is now at a comparable stage that ICT was eight years ago, but with a longer regulatory history. It was common here to have breakthrough innovations sold elsewhere in the world since the ecosystem did not support them. However, innovation is a reality - the number of life sciences startups has increased in India, going beyond 900 in 2020 to over 10,000 in 2024. These successes need to be celebrated and displayed more. Startups are lean and agile, but industry can be scale and markets as well as customer readiness. This is a necessary alliance in jugalbandi. I wish that in future Medtech summits, innovation and startups will be proudly placed in the line next to the well-established industry players.

Also Read: Healthium Medtech and C-CAMP Roll Out Medical Innovation Cohort in India

What should manufacturing, regulation, and public opinion of Medtech in India prioritize next?

Although India is currently a major manufacturer of finished goods, it continues to heavily rely on imports of medical grade components and raw materials including alloys, polymers, ceramics, glass, packaging and state of the art testing facilities. The next challenge is to develop these capacities. There are 3 new parks of medical devices that are soon becoming operational, in addition to the Andhra Medtech Zone. To further value-chain-deepen, component-localize, and develop advanced testing, schemes will be continued after March 2026. Local production margins are also sources of scale rather than demand. Nevertheless, Medtech is not well-known. It should quickly engage popular imagination and the interest of policymakers because it has the potential of 8 million jobs - and the potential to increase more. The leaders of the industry need to write, talk, and spread this concept.

Whenever dealing with regulation, patient welfare should always come into question. The council of healthcare service leaders, such as Dr. Rahan, Shishar Agraal, Goravraal and Hariharanji are well-positioned to take the lead in improving regulations, reducing the perception that changes are special favors given to an industry and positioning them as patient-focused initiatives. Finally, this ecosystem has to be co-created by industry, government, academia, and healthcare providers.