Minister apprises parliament about Indigenously Procured Medical Devices

Delhi: Through a recent reply Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare (MOS Health) informed the Rajya Sabha about indigenously procured medical devices.

The Minister was responding to MP Srimati Kahkashan Perween who questioned whether in Government hospitals all the medical devices are procured i.e. Made in India and whether there is a policy regarding the same,

Responding to questions, MOS Health Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated that 'Health' is a state subject, such information is not maintained centrally. However, as far as three Central Government Hospitals i.e. Safdarjung, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi are concerned, all the medical devices are procured following the General Financial Rules, CVC Guidelines and Public Procurement (Make in India) Order, 2017.

"Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has issued Order No. P- 45021/2/2017-B.E.-II, dated 15.06.2017 (PPP-MII Order, 2017), revised on 29.05.2019 for Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India). Department of Pharmaceuticals was designated as Nodal Ministry to implement the above Order for medical devices. Department of Pharmaceuticals has issued guidelines in terms of above Order vide F.No. 31026/36/2016-MD dated 18.05.2018. This Order has been amended vide OM 31026/36/2016-MD dated 16.10.2018, " the minister stated

The minister also highlighted the key features of the above guidelines as under:

1) Minimum local content for different categories of medical devices has been defined in the guidelines to be designated as a local supplier.

2) Procurement of medical devices in respect of which the estimated value of procurement is less than Rs. 50 Lakhs, only local suppliers shall be eligible to bid.

3) Procurement of goods which are not covered in (2) above and are divisible in nature, the procedure shall be followed as per Clause 3(b) of PPP-MII Order, 2017.

4) If procurement of goods is not covered in (2) above and which are not divisible, the procedure shall be followed as per Clause 3(c) of PPP-MII Order, 2017.

5) Procedure for verification of local content is described in guidelines issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

6) Power to grant an exemption and to reduce minimum local content is defined in Para 14 of PPP-MII Order, 2017.

7) Procurement agencies should follow the standards laid down by Bureau of Indian Standards, for the medical devices concerned, for procurement purposes. Where such standards exist, USFDA/CE certification etc. shall not be mandated.