Safeguard Duties on Medical Devices to Shield the Domestic Medical Device Industry

Safeguard duties on medical devices are essential to protect India's growing domestic medical device industry from the impact of cheap imports. The surge in medical device imports, particularly from countries like China, has raised concerns among local manufacturers. The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has urged the government to intervene to prevent further harm to the industry.

Background on Medical Device Imports

The demand for medical devices in India has led to an unprecedented increase in imports. In particular, syringes and needles imports have skyrocketed, significantly influenced by imports from China, the US, and Singapore. AiMeD reports that imports of syringes and needles alone have surged by 80%, from $61 million to $111 million.

Impact of Cheap Imports

• China contributes to 33.47% of the rise in medical device imports.
• Domestic manufacturers are facing challenges in maintaining production levels.
• The call for government action on imports highlights the urgency of addressing these pressures.