In an endeavor to enhance the ecosystem for native IVDs (in vitro diagnostics) and medical devices, India launched the MedTech Mitra portal in December 2023, with the participation of ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization), and NITI Aayog.
MedTech Mitra is a digital platform that supports and empowers innovators and startups in medical technology. It handholds organizations throughout the product development and lifecycle management process - from idea creation to market launch to boost the success of MedTech innovations and expedite regulatory compliance for product development, fostering a fresh wave of innovation in the industry.
It expands on and adds to government initiatives aimed at enhancing the medical device industry in India, including the introduction of the National Medical Device Policy 2023 (intended to reduce reliance on imports and encourage local production), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI - crafted to promote large scale medical devices manufacturing in India) and the establishment of Medical Devices Parks (created to facilitate infrastructure development for medical device manufacturing hubs).
MedTech Mitra is less than a year old, and we are yet to see official public announcements or acknowledgment of its direct involvement in a finished product. However, even without formal communication, the initial reports and feedback from the various stakeholders have been very encouraging. MedTech Mitra is already credited in circles for catalyzing positive changes and developments. This has created a positive perception of its future success.
Technologies and developments that are drawing direct benefit from MedTech Mitra include –
1.Diagnostics tools based on AI technology that have enhanced speed and precision
2.Robotic surgeries for minimally invasive procedures
3.Emergence of wearables and their dominance
4.PoCT technologies for rural and resource-scarce settings
5.Telemedicine solutions
6.Cutting-edge surgical tools
7.Integrated solutions that combine pathology, microbiology, laboratory medicine and radiology
8.AI-powered enhanced imaging technologies
MedTech Mitra’s future impact of these technologies and products include –
It will decrease India’s reliance on imported MedTech products, which currently account for 80% of our overall MedTech requirements. Homegrown technologies and innovations will pave the way for self-reliance, conserve foreign exchange, and make us more self-sufficient.
India’s medical devices industry is slated to cross USD 50 billion by 2030
MedTech Mitra’s influence and impact on the Indian healthcare industry will be substantial and multi-faceted. It will decrease India’s reliance on imported medical devices, which could be up to 80 percent. Simultaneously, it will create trust and credibility for innovative domestic devices. MedTech Mitra has all the potential to efficiently catalyze the Indian medical devices industry into a $50 billion market by 2030, which will play a strategic leadership role in the global market. Moreover, MedTech Mitra will drive innovation and boost domestic production, reducing the prices of existing products and helping develop more cost-effective solutions. It will also increase the point-of-care testing (PoCT) segment by reaching closer to patients and resource-scare settings. MedTech Mitra has created a collaborative ecosystem with over a hundred organizations to foster an ecosystem for innovation.
A one-size-fits-all strategy does not work in healthcare. India is a very diverse country, and the efficacy of solutions differs across regions, ethnicities, classes, ages, and other sociological factors. Indigenous solutions developed especially for the Indian environment and conditions can better address India’s specific requirements and obstacles.
MedTech Mitra is helping create and nurture this ecosystem. It provides support through the entire product development phase – design & development, clinical trials, evaluations, regulations, and compliances – right until the final approval and go-to-market.
Its 360° approach also encompasses pooling knowledge and expertise from institutions and regulatory bodies. MedTech Mitra acts as a problem solver whenever a bottleneck is encountered by bringing together the requisite departments, institutions, and infrastructure to address it effectively.
MedTech Mitra will enhance India’s independence and self-reliance in medical technology, establishing India as the center for ground-breaking, cost-effective, technology-driven healthcare solutions. MedTech Mitra will usher in a new era of India’s dominance in the medical technology arena.
Written By – Jatin Mahajan Secretary Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India (ADMI)
Visit: https://jmitra.co.in/