Sat Dec 13 11:32:14 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:
Summary:
Indian medical device manufacturers are appealing to the government to halt approvals for importing refurbished medical devices. They argue this practice undermines the “Make in India” initiative, creates an uneven playing field for domestic innovators, and risks turning India into a dumping ground for medical waste. They cite concerns about regulatory contradictions, patient safety, outdated technology, and unfair competition in government tenders. Patient safety advocates have even filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on these imports. The manufacturers advocate for prioritizing domestically manufactured equipment to ensure long-term reliability, better clinical outcomes, and the growth of India’s medical technology sector.
News Article:
Indian Medical Device Makers Fight Refurbished Imports, Citing Patient Safety and “Make in India” Concerns
NEW DELHI – December 13, 2025 – Indian medical device manufacturers are urging the Central government to reconsider approvals for importing refurbished and reconditioned medical devices. In a statement released today, the Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) and other industry stakeholders expressed serious concerns about the potential impact on patient safety, the domestic medical device industry, and the “Make in India” initiative.
“Approvals risk undermining regulatory integrity and creating an uneven playing field for domestic innovators,” said Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator for AiMeD.
The manufacturers contend that allowing refurbished equipment into the market, despite a Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) ban and ongoing legal challenges, threatens to flood the market with outdated technology and undermine the work of Indian innovators. They argue that the practice allows foreign companies to offload depreciated equipment onto the Indian market, effectively turning the country into a dumping ground for medical electronic waste.
Concerns extend to the safety and reliability of refurbished devices. “Imported machines often carry outdated technology, unpredictable performance and unreliable spare-part support,” noted R.S. Kanwar, Director of Overseas Operations at Allengers Medical Systems Ltd. “At a time when India is rapidly advancing its healthcare capabilities, we must avoid lowering the technological benchmark by depending on obsolete imports.”
Adding to the controversy, the Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India Foundation has filed a writ petition with the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the import of refurbished medical devices, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
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