New Delhi : India has achieved a significant milestone by emerging as a net exporter of medical consumables and disposables for the first time. This marks a notable reversal of the previous trend, wherein overseas shipments of products like needles and catheters had dominated the market.

In the fiscal year 2022–23, the country exported medical consumables and disposables valued at $1.6 billion, while imports amounted to only about $1.1 billion, as disclosed by Union Pharma Secretary Arunish Chawla on Tuesday. This reflects a 16% increase in exports compared to the previous fiscal year, coupled with a substantial 33% decline in imports. 

 The government aims to replicate this success in other segments as well, such as [insert specific segments here]. The government is actively pursuing the replication of this success in other segments, such as surgical instruments and electronic equipment, aiming to reduce dependence on imports, as stated by Chawla on the sidelines of an event hosted by his department and CII.

The government's drive to diminish import reliance for crucial pharmaceutical products and devices received a significant boost post-COVID outbreak, particularly after China tightened control over supplies ranging from basic chemicals to PPEs and testing kits. India's reputation as the "pharmacy of the world" stems from its production of generic medicines and low-cost vaccines. However, in the medical devices sector, the country remains heavily reliant on imports, with nearly 70% of products sourced from other countries, including China as a major contributor.

To address this, the government has categorized the medical device sector into various segments, including cancer therapy, imaging, critical care, assistive medical devices, body implants, surgical instruments, hospital equipment, consumables and disposables, and IVD instruments and reagents.

The pharma secretary highlighted ongoing deliberations aimed at identifying crucial medical devices from each segment, analyzing their import-export dynamics, examining duty structures, and assessing their implications across the value chain. Himanshu Baid, chairman of CII's National Medical Technology Forum, noted that the industry experienced a significant surge in demand for consumables and disposables during the COVID-19 pandemic, driving manufacturers to ramp up production capacities.