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Gujarat: Leading The Medical Device Sector In India
Apart from being hailed as the pharmaceutical hub of the
country, another sector that is fast caching up the frenzy of this
industry-friendly state is the medical device sector. Suja Nair shirodkar taps
the latest in this sector from Gujarat.
In spite of having huge growth potential within the country,
medical device sector still remains to be one of the fields that yet has to be
explored by many. Only a handful of the states in the country has taken active
initiative to push this niche but highly dependable sector at a growth
trajectory. Among these few, Gujarat tops the list by pioneering many
industry-friendly policies and setting examples for others to attract companies
to enter this sector.
Born Leader
Today, Gujarat has the largest cluster of medical device
industry in the country and by doing this the state government is focusing on
developing this segment especially for exports. At present, there are 115 units
manufacturing medical devices that are operational in the state.
Dr. H G Koshia, commissioner, Gujarat State Food and Drug
Control Administration (FDCA) informs that Gujarat ranks first in the country to
manufacture not only the conventional medical device made out of special
Plastics but also new high tech medical devices like cardiac stents, orthopedic
implants and intra ocular lenses.
The state contributes about 60 per cent of the total cardiac
stents that are manufactured in the country whereas around 30 to 40 of
intraocular lenses and orthopaedic implants in the country are produced from
Gujarat.
D L Pandya, who is a senior medical device industry
consultant from Gujarat, reasons that this is particularly because of leading
position of State in various industrial sectors including petrochemicals, Drugs
and pharmaceuticals, engineering, pharmaceuticals and plastics processing
machineries etc. which support the growth of the medical disposables and
equipments manufacturers.
He informs, “The availability of plastic raw materials have
played a very vital role in development of this sector in Gujarat. The
entrepreneurial strength of the people has also contributed immensely for not
only the medical device industry but a large number of supply chain industry as
well.”
Latest Updates
One among the many achievements that Gujarat can boost of is
that of the United Nations Industrial Development organization’s (UNIDO’s)
identification of Gujarat as the leading cluster location for the
pharmaceuticals and medical device sectors.
Recently the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC)
had announced to set up a ‘medical device cluster’ in the state for which the
government has identified over 100 acres of land in Sanand to develop this
cluster. It has already initiated the process of land allotment during the
Vibrant Gujarat 2011. It is reported that the government of Gujarat is investing
Rs. 300 crores for this projects.
According to Dr. Koshia, “Since there is a huge competition
in this sector globally, it becomes imperative for us to equip ourselves to
global standards if we want to have an edge over our competitors. The Gujarat
government is trying the best to make sure that we provide all the impetus to
the industry so that they can leverage the maximum for the benefit of the
industry.”
He further said that over the years there has been a steady
increase in the number of applications being filed for new medical devices and
licenses in the state. In fact, he pointed out that during this year’s Vibrant
Gujarat, almost three to four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed
between the state government and companies to set up manufacturing in the state.
“Out of Four companies who have signed the MoU’s, one is
ready to start its production and is waiting for the final approval from the
DCGI’s office. This is a proof of the commitment the state has to develop this
sector, but it must be noted that having a proactive government is just not
enough, to compliment that we also need to have an equally responsive industry.
The industry in the state has been very co-operative and supportive of all our
initiatives which has helped us a lot in bringing these new changes.” informs
Dr. Koshia.
Among the other developments, Department of sciences and
Technology (DST) supported programme for promotion of innovative ecosystem in
Gujarat for medical device industry is being implemented by foundation of MSME
Clusters with active participation of Gujarat Technical University.
Continued
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